South Korean Si Woo Kim won the Player’s championship today at 21 years of age, the youngest to ever win it. Even though he missed ten greens today, he got it up-and-down all ten times to finish with a ten under par total 274 to win by three strokes over two second place finishers: Englishman Ian Poulter and South African Louis Oosterhuizen. Where were all the Americans? Kyle Stanley, of Gig Harbor, Washington, got back in the limelight since his winning the Phoenix Open in 2012 by tying Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello for fourth place.
Kim was amazingly calm and thus unflappable, even perhaps a little stoic. When he holed out on #18 today, he barely cracked a smile. His face looked kind of matter-of-fact. In the presentation ceremony, it became apparent that he could not speak English and thus had his translator as his spoke his native tongue of Korean. He paid tribute to his countryman K. J. Choi, who won this event in 2009. He said Choi gave him advise that helped him win. Even though Kim is 21, he has been a pro golfer for four years, having competed in 120 pro tournaments. He now makes his home in Dallas, Texas.
Poulter admitted in TV interview after his round today that he was pretty nervous today. He even admitted he shanked his second shot on the last hole, sending the ball way off in the right trees. (I never shanked a ball in tournament play as a pro golfer. It’s pretty rare for that to happen.) Even though Poulter has had an outstanding pro golf career, including being a hero in Ryder Cup, he was listed in the 197th position on the Sony worldwide rankings this week and in danger of losing his playing privileges (card) on the PGA Tour. This week definitely bolted him way up that list.
Next on the list of big time pro golf events is the U.S. Open next month.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In