Korean rookie Kim aims to keep pedal on the metal at Sanderson Farms Championship

Kim Seong-hyeon hits his first shot on the 18th hole during the second round of the RBC Canadian Open at Oakdale Golf & Country Club in Toronto, Ontario on June 9. [GETTY IMAGES]

A career best runner-up finish two weeks ago has fueled Kim Seong-hyeon as he continues his chase for a maiden PGA Tour victory at the Sanderson Farms Championship this week.

The 25-year-old rookie savoured an impressive solo second place finish at the Fortinet Championship, the first of seven FedExCup Fall events, which has since boosted his confidence immensely as he seeks a career breakthrough on the world’s elite circuit.

“It's the best performance of my career, so I have a lot of confidence and belief in myself,” said Kim of his strong showing in Napa. “I feel good and it will definitely have an impact in my upcoming tournaments.”

Kim is amongst a strong Korean contingent teeing up in the $8.2 million PGA Tour tournament which includes Lee Kyoung-hoon, Noh Seung-yul and Kang Sung-hoon, who are all Tour winners. Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes is the defending champion and will be looking for a repeat victory to enhance his hopes of playing for the International Team in next year’s Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal.

A return to The Country Club in Jackson, Mississippi where Kim finished tied 13th in last year’s edition is also producing good vibes as he feels he now knows the intricacies of the Tour's golf courses much better.

“I've played the course once before, and at the Fortinet Championship, I'm familiar with it and I was in a much better frame of mind. This course worked well for me last year too, so I think it will work well for me again,” said a hopeful Kim.

“I played well in my last tournament, but it was a disappointing to have two weeks off. However, I will play confidently as I have prepared thoroughly during the break.”

The next few weeks will prove to be vital in Kim’s hopes to finish inside the top-60 of the FedExCup Fall rankings, which will provide exemptions into two Signature events in early 2024. His strong showing this season, which features two top-10s and seven top-25s, sees him entering the week ranked 57th. He is also looking forward to next week’s stop in Vegas, the Shriners Children’s Open, where he finished tied fourth last year for his career first top-10 on the PGA Tour .

Subsequently, Kim, who graduated from the Korn Ferry Tour last season, will make a welcome return to Japan for the Zozo Championship, and if his rankings is high enough to secure starts in the Signature events, Kim plans to shut down his year and return home to Korea. Kim won the 2021 Japan PGA Championship.

“My goal is to increase my ranking as much as possible, so I will do my best,” he said.

BY CHUAH CHOO CHIANG [kjdsports@joongang.co.kr]