Kim Juhyung Breaks Woods' Record: "Youngest Winner of the 5th Major Too"

Opening on the 10th: Players Championship Participation
Challenging Kim Si-woo's 2017 Record

Kim Joo-hyung (21) broke the record of the 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods (USA) and became the youngest player to win twice on the PGA Tour, where he debuted last season. This time, he is challenging the record for the youngest winner held by Kim Si-woo (28) at the Players Championship, known as the '5th Major' tournament.

Kim Juhyung is smiling brightly during an interview with Asia Economy in October last year. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

In an interview with PGATour.com released on the 9th, Kim Joo-hyung said, "I remember watching Kim Si-woo win on TV," adding, "Since he holds the record as the youngest winner, that part motivates me as well." He continued, "Many Asian players, including myself, have nurtured our dreams of the PGA Tour through Kim Si-woo’s victory," and expressed his determination by saying, "Since every player participating this time has a chance to win, I want to seize the one opportunity given to me."

The Players Championship will be held for four days starting from the 10th at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA (Par 72, 7,256 yards). The total prize money is $25 million (approximately 32.4 billion KRW), which is $5 million more than last year. This is Kim Joo-hyung’s first appearance. At 20 years and 8 months old as of this month, if he wins on this stage, the record for the youngest winner of the tournament, set by Kim Si-woo in 2017 at 21 years and 10 months, will change hands.

Previously, Kim Joo-hyung made his full debut on the PGA Tour last season and stood out by winning twice at the age of 20 years and 3 months. He became the first player since Tiger Woods in 1996 to win twice on the PGA Tour before turning 21, surpassing Woods’ record as the youngest two-time winner (20 years and 9 months).

He said, "My strength is maintaining consistent performance from tee shots to greens and finishing," adding, "I used to have a weakness in distance, but recently my swing speed has increased, and now I think there is not much difference compared to other players." He also emphasized, "I learn a lot every day competing with the world’s best experienced players. Through this, I have grown a lot, and since I am still 20 years old, there is much more growth ahead."

Meanwhile, this tournament features top players including the world’s No. 1 to No. 3 male golfers: Jon Rahm (Spain), Scottie Scheffler (USA), and Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland). South Korea’s lineup includes Kim Joo-hyung along with Im Sung-jae (25), Lee Kyoung-hoon (32), Kim Sung-hyun (25), and An Byeong-hun (32).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.