[Winners Club] Kim Juhyung 'Titleist TSR3'

by Roh Woolae

Published 19 Oct.2023 10:21(KST)

World No. 11 Kim Joo-hyung has made another piece of history. Last week, he achieved back-to-back victories at the PGA Tour's Shriners Children's Open. This marked his second win of the season and his third career victory, coming one year after his first win at this tournament. Kim secured the title with precise shots and outstanding putting skills. Over four days, he recorded a fairway hit rate of 71.43% (tied 5th) and an average of 1.63 putts per hole (tied 6th). What is the secret weapon behind Kim Joo-hyung, who set the record as the youngest player to defend a PGA Tour title?

Kim Juhyung achieved his second consecutive victory at the Shriners Children's Open equipped with Titleist.

Kim Joo-hyung is not a long hitter. This year, his average drive distance was 297.6 yards (ranked 119th). However, his ability to hit tee shots onto the fairway stands at 67.49% (7th). Since equipping the Titleist TSR3 driver this year, he has gained more power. Kim said, "I used the TSi3 for a long time. After testing the TSR3 last summer, I started carrying it in my caddie bag." He added, "My fairway hit rate has improved. Ball speed and swing speed have also gotten better, and it seems less affected by the wind."

Kim's strength lies in his irons. He excels at getting the ball close to the green. He uses two different iron lines: the 3-iron is a Titleist T200, and the 4-iron through 9-iron are Titleist T100. Kim praised, "The feel has improved significantly." His wedges are Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46 and 52 degrees) and Vokey SM9 Wedge Works (60 degrees).

His putter is a Scotty Cameron Tour Type Timeless GSS Tour Prototype, fitted with a SuperStroke Zenyte Tour 1.0 grip. His name is engraved on the back of the head. Kim said, "I've had this putter in my caddie bag for a year. I used it at last year's Presidents Cup and achieved good results." He smiled and added, "I like it. I think I'll keep using it for a while."

Kim's ball of choice is the Titleist Pro V1x. He explained, "I've used Pro V1x my entire life. It feels firmer than the Pro V1. Its strengths are higher spin and higher launch angle." Kim emphasized, "It leads to shot consistency. Especially, the sound when the ball hits the face is artistic."

Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees · Fujikura Atmos Tour Spec Black 6X)

3-wood: Titleist TSi3 (13.5 degrees · Mitsubishi Densai 1K Pro White 70 TX)

Hybrid: Titleist TSR3 (19 degrees · Graphite Design Tour AD AG04 Hybrid Prototype 9X)

Irons: Titleist T200 (#3 · True Temper Project X 5.5), Titleist T100 (#4?9 · True Temper Project X120 6.0)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46, 52 degrees), Vokey SM9 Wedge Works (60 degrees · all True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100)

Putter: Scotty Cameron Tour Type Timeless GSS Tour Prototype (SuperStroke Zenyte Tour 1.0 grip)