Augusta [US], April 6 (ANI): Debutant Tom Kim could not have requested for a greater strategy to start his first Masters Tournament look following “a dream” follow spherical on Monday within the firm of golf legend Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Fred Couples.
Now comes the tough half – tips on how to plot his approach towards golf historical past and a stellar line-up to problem for the coveted champion’s Green Jacket that could be very not often handed to a first-timer on the Masters.
Only 20, Kim has been on cloud 9 since driving by way of Magnolia Lane and stepping foot on the hallowed turf of Augusta National Golf Club, the everlasting house to the Masters Tournament.
He acquired to odor the Azaleas that line the manicured fairways at Augusta National and extra importantly, choose the brains of Woods, a five-time Masters winner, reigning FedExCup champion McIlroy and veteran Couples, who triumphed in 1992, throughout a nine-hole session in entrance of huge crowds that had a semblance of a remaining spherical in any main.
“A lot of laughter. So it was really fun,” stated Kim in a press convention.
“I think my first memory of just watching golf was the Masters and Tiger winning it (2005), and for me to be able to share my first official practice round with him was a dream come true, really. And to not just play with Tiger but to have Fred Couples and Rory join us, it was a dream. The guys were pretty serious and they were getting work done. It was just nice and enjoyable. Days like yesterday definitely makes me feel like dreams really do come true, especially for the guys back in Asia. You know, I had a goal, and I worked towards it, and it feels like days like yesterday definitely, the hard work kind of pays off,” stated Tom Kim.
Last yr Kim met Woods for the primary time when he certified for Hero World Challenge hosted by Woods. What’s extra, Kim completed T-10 in his maiden look on the high-profile event with 20 of the world’s greatest gamers taking part in in it.
Kim is decided to not be the child in a sweet retailer in his first look on the main each golfer craves to play in. He made a recce journey to Augusta National a number of weeks in the past to get the “bug out” and this week has all been about meticulous planning with caddie, Joe Skovron, and understanding the course intricacies from the masters themselves.
Two gorgeous PGA TOUR victories and a standout efficiency within the Presidents Cup final yr propelled Kim into the worldwide highlight as he turned the primary golfer since Woods to win twice earlier than turning 21. Kim would break Woods’ file of being the youngest Masters champion if he can pull off an inconceivable victory come Sunday.
The final Masters debutant to win was Fuzzy Zoeller, who triumphed in 1979. Only two others gained on their first visits, Horton Smith who gained the inaugural Masters in 1934, and Gene Sarazen within the following yr.
Kim just isn’t deterred.
“I got some really good work done, and this course actually does suit my eye a little bit. So I’m trying to prepare really well. Obviously, some of the guys have been here a lot more than I have, but I have to adjust and adapt really quickly,” stated Kim, who will play the opening two rounds alongside McIlroy and up to date WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play winner, Sam Burns.
“The weather, it looks kind of a little shaky on the weekend, so I mean, whoever has the best stuff kind of wins. So just trying to get ready, and hopefully I’ll have a chance to win on Sunday.”Like many others, Kim grew up watching Woods dominate on the Masters. After turning skilled on the tender age of 15, he began profitable tournaments in international locations reminiscent of Pakistan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and Korea, earlier than bursting onto the PGA TOUR.
Two years after Hideki Matsuyama of Japan turned the primary Asian winner at Augusta National, Kim reckons the Asian brigade at this week’s Masters, which incorporates countrymen Sungjae Im, Si Woo Kim, Okay.H. Lee and one other Japanese debutant Kazuki Higa, might nicely emerge as official contenders.
“Obviously in major championship history, we haven’t had many Asian golfers win. I feel like right now on the PGA TOUR, there are a lot more Asian golfers than there were. Hopefully, especially the Masters, every single golfer wants to win it, but for an Asian golfer to win the Masters is going to be a lot more impactful. Hopefully, this week, whether it’s me or any Asian golfer will have a chance to win on Sunday and hopefully inspire the generations coming up,” he stated.
“That would exceed expectations for sure. I mean, I think everyone wants to win the Masters. Everyone wants to park in the Champions parking lot. Everyone wants to go to the Champions Dinner. Everyone wants to fight for it. And I’m the same way, and hopefully, I’ll just be able to have a chance on Sunday. That would be a dream, ” Kim added when requested what it will imply to turn into the youngest Masters champion. (ANI)