Michael Kim

Michael Kim Bio

Michael Sangwon Kim (born July 14, 1993) is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour and the European Tour. He turned professional in 2013 and has built a résumé that includes one PGA Tour victory and one European Tour win. Kim first gained national attention as a collegiate star at the University of California, Berkeley, where he became the first Cal men’s golfer to capture national player of the year honors. He reached a career-high Official World Golf Ranking of 35 in November 2025, marking a strong rebound after a difficult stretch on tour.

Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing about 165 pounds, Kim plays from a balanced athletic build suited to a tournament schedule that spans continents. He is a graduate of Torrey Pines High School in San Diego, California, and he now resides in Houston, Texas. Over the course of his career, he has been a full-time PGA Tour member since 2016.

Early Life and Background

Michael Sangwon Kim was born on July 14, 1993, in Seoul, South Korea. He is the son of Sun Kim and Yun Kim, who later moved the family to the United States. Kim was raised in San Diego, California, where he grew up in a household that supported his early interest in golf. The coastal Southern California environment, with year-round playing weather and access to prominent courses, helped shape his development as a young player.

He attended Torrey Pines High School, a public school in San Diego known for its proximity to the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course, host of PGA Tour events. The setting gave him convenient access to high-level competition and a clear pathway into competitive junior golf. His training during these years laid the groundwork for an accomplished amateur career and eventual scholarship opportunities.

Kim later enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, where he competed for the California Golden Bears men’s golf team. He was teammates with fellow professional Max Homa, and the two pushed each other through a strong amateur era for the program. Kim graduated with the foundation of a polished competitive game and a series of national honors that announced his arrival on the broader American golf scene.

Path to Professional Golf

Kim’s amateur career reached its peak during the 2012–13 college season. In April 2013, he was named the Pac-12 Men’s Golfer of the Month, signaling his rising national profile. That spring, he put together one of the most decorated individual seasons in Cal history, earning recognition from multiple organizations.

On June 2, 2013, Kim became the first Cal men’s golfer to ever win national player of the year honors when the Golf Coaches Association of America presented him with the 2013 Jack Nicklaus Award as the Division I recipient. Nine days later, on June 11, 2013, he added the Haskins Award, given to the national player of the year in men’s college golf and selected through voting by players, coaches, and national media members. The double award made him one of the most honored amateur golfers of his class.

Kim also qualified for the 2013 U.S. Open by sharing medalist honors at his sectional qualifier. After the third round he was tied for 10th, and he finished the championship tied for 17th, earning low-amateur honors at a major championship. The performance confirmed he was ready for professional golf, and he turned professional in December 2013.

Michael Kim Career

Early Career (2014–2015)

Kim began his professional career with limited status on the 2014 Web.com Tour after finishing tied for 56th at the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament. He played in 17 events that season, making the cut in 11 of them. His best finish came at the Price Cutter Charity Championship, where he tied for second and signaled that his game could compete at the development tour level.

In 2015, Kim returned to the Web.com Tour through his finish in the Web.com Tour Finals. He produced a strong season, ending the year 13th on the regular-season money list. That result earned him a full-time PGA Tour membership for the 2016 season, completing his rise from college star to the game’s top level in less than two years on the developmental circuit.

PGA Tour Breakthrough (2016–2018)

Kim joined the PGA Tour as a full-time member in 2016 and spent his first two seasons gaining experience. He adjusted to the demands of weekly professional competition, learning the rhythm of travel, course setup changes, and the depth of the fields. The learning curve was steep but productive as he built the consistency required to contend.

That work paid off at the 2018 John Deere Classic, where Kim won his first PGA Tour event in commanding fashion. He set the tournament scoring record and won by eight shots, a margin that reflected total control from tee to green. The victory also earned him the final invitation to the 2018 Open Championship, where he would make his first start in a major as a professional.

Slump and Comeback (2019–2024)

Kim’s momentum stalled in 2019, when he missed 19 cuts in 20 PGA Tour events. By August 26, 2019, he had fallen to 502nd in the Official World Golf Ranking, a dramatic drop for a player who had won the previous year. The stretch tested his confidence and forced him to reassess parts of his game and preparation.

The 2020–21 PGA Tour season brought little relief. Kim made only nine cuts in 30 starts and finished 214th in the FedEx Cup standings, leading to the loss of his full PGA Tour card. In the 2021–22 season, he returned to the Korn Ferry Tour, where he regained his card for the 2022–23 PGA Tour season. He also finished tied for second at the 2025 WM Phoenix Open, a sign that his game was returning to a contending level.

European Tour Success (2025)

Kim won his first European Tour event at the FedEx Open de France in September 2025. The victory made him the first American to win the tournament since Barry Jaeckel in 1972, ending a long drought for U.S. players at the historic French event. The win also helped lift his Official World Golf Ranking to a career-high 35 in November 2025.

Driving Style and Strengths

Kim is known for an accurate, position-based style of play that rewards course management and smart club selection. He uses a steady ball flight and a reliable short game, which has produced strong performances on classic, positional golf courses. His composure and discipline have been key factors in his breakthrough wins and in his successful returns from form slumps.

Notable Events and Milestones

The 2018 John Deere Classic remains the defining performance of Kim’s PGA Tour career, with its eight-shot margin and tournament scoring record. His 2025 victory at the FedEx Open de France added a memorable international milestone, while his 2013 low-amateur finish at the U.S. Open announced his arrival as a player of substance. Each of these moments represents a high point in a career marked by both struggle and resilience.

Michael Kim Career Wins

Michael Kim has recorded two professional victories across the major tours, one on the PGA Tour and one on the European Tour. Both wins reflect his ability to peak at the right moments and on courses that reward strategic play. Together, they form the foundation of a career that continues to grow as he returns to contender status.

PGA Tour Highlights

Kim’s lone PGA Tour win came at the 2018 John Deere Classic, where he set the tournament scoring record and won by eight shots. The performance was the largest margin of victory of his career and earned him a spot in the 2018 Open Championship. He later added a runner-up finish at the 2025 WM Phoenix Open, his most recent top-tier result on American soil.

European Tour Highlights

Kim captured his first European Tour title at the 2025 FedEx Open de France. The victory was notable as the first American win at the event since Barry Jaeckel in 1972, and it helped push his world ranking to a career high later that year. It also signaled his readiness to compete and win on multiple tours.

Michael Kim Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Michael Sangwon Kim was born to parents Sun Kim and Yun Kim, both of whom supported his move from South Korea to the United States and his pursuit of golf. The family settled in San Diego, California, where Kim’s interest in the sport grew. Their encouragement helped him access strong coaching and competitive opportunities, including a high school program at Torrey Pines.

Personal Life

Kim is a U.S. citizen by nationality and was raised primarily in San Diego, California, after being born in Seoul, South Korea. He currently resides in Houston, Texas, a common base for many PGA Tour professionals seeking central travel access. Beyond his golf commitments, his public profile has remained centered on his competitive results and his ongoing efforts to return to top form.

2025 Season Performance

Michael Kim’s 2025 season marked one of the most successful years of his professional career. He opened the calendar year with a tied-second finish at the WM Phoenix Open, his strongest PGA Tour result in several seasons. The performance showed that the work he had done to rebuild his game was beginning to translate on the game’s biggest stages.

Later in the season, Kim traveled to Europe and captured the FedEx Open de France in September 2025, earning his first European Tour title. The win made him the first American to lift the trophy since 1972 and provided a major boost to his world ranking. By November 16, 2025, he had reached a career-high Official World Golf Ranking of 35, reflecting consistent form across multiple tours.

Looking ahead, Kim’s outlook is built on the confidence gained from a victory and a runner-up finish on different tours. With a PGA Tour card secured, a European Tour title in hand, and a career-high ranking, he enters the next phase of his career with clear momentum. The combination of experience, recent form, and improved course management suggests he is well positioned to contend for additional titles.