Si Woo Kim has now won four times on the PGA Tour , the latest being Sunday when he birdied two of the final holes to win victory over Hayden Buckley.
Kim began the day three shots behind the lead, and then posted his second 64 to move up the leaderboard. He watched in dismay as Buckley failed on the final hole to make a birdie which would have forced him into a playoff.
The Korean 27-year old Korean who now calls Dallas home claims to have been “a little shaky” during the four previous holes, but “was trying to gain confidence and stay calm.”
The shot of the week was without doubt the chip-in for birdie at the par-3 17th, just seconds after Buckley had birdied the 16th.
SI WOO HIM
Amazing chip-in by Si Woo Kim to @HBuckley13 birdie @SonyOpenHawaii. pic.twitter.com/0cgRc3cfKD
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR January 16, 2023
Kim stated, “Right before that I heard a sound and I knew it was him making it. So it was kind of difficult lie into the greens so I had to hit aggressive.” Kim said, “So I hit it aggressively and goes in. It was thrilling.
Here’s what Si Woo Kim had to say after winning the 2023 Sony Open Hawaii.
Q. What does it do for your attitude and ability to move on?
SWK: This is like winning your first event. This is a great moment, and there are still a few seasons. We are trying to build more confidence so that we can win more.
Q: The day begins at 12-under par. Three shots back. Shoot 64. Shoot 64.
SWK: It felt great, and then the first three holes were like it was on fire. … I knew there was a chance of winning so I tried to keep calm. I felt like I had less calm on the back nine but I kept trying to stay calm. I was lucky to win the 17. That helped 18 a lot. I felt really relaxed on the last hole.
Si Woo Kim poses with a trophy during the final round at the 2023 Sony Open Hawaii at Waialae Country Club, Honolulu. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)
Q: What do you think about 17. Q: Tell us about 17.
SWK: It was not as rough as you might think. But it was easy to carry the green. He made a birdie, which I knew. I heard the sound and decided to hit it hard. I don’t have anything to lose so I hit it aggressively.
Q. The bunker shot at 18 from the fairway bunker was really impressive.
SWK: I was there yesterday, about ten yards further, so I knew how it would go and how the bunker felt. That makes me feel more comfortable and, yes, I hit the great shot.
Q: What was it like? Your wife is there. Your wife was there to give you a big hug. K.H. K.H. Ben An. This one is truly special.
SWK: I like all of the Korean players so we win a lot like the last couple years. So we helping more trying get more motivation. That helps all the Korean players to see one another. My wife and I feel like we are on honeymoon, because we arrived here again early last week. It was all comfortable.
