Si Woo Kim Bio
Si Woo Kim, born on June 28, 1995, in Seoul, South Korea, is a professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour. He made history by winning The Players Championship in 2017 at age 21, becoming the youngest ever winner of that event. Known for his calm temperament and steady ball-striking, Kim has collected four PGA Tour victories and one Korn Ferry Tour title. He is widely regarded as one of the leading South Korean players of his generation.
A graduate of Yonsei University, Kim turned professional in 2012 and quickly moved through the developmental ranks before earning a full PGA Tour card. His career has been marked by early success, milestone achievements, and consistent appearances in major championships. He resides in Dallas, Texas, and continues to be a regular contender on the United States-based circuit.
Early Life and Background
Si Woo Kim was born on June 28, 1995, in Seoul, South Korea. Growing up in a country with a deep love for golf, he was introduced to the sport at a young age and developed his game through junior competitions. His hometown of Seoul offered access to strong coaching and competitive events, which helped shape his early technical foundation.
He pursued higher education at Yonsei University, one of South Korea’s most respected institutions, where he balanced his academic studies with competitive amateur golf. His amateur record drew the attention of professional scouts, and by the time he finished his schooling, Kim had already established himself as one of the country’s most promising young players. This blend of education and competitive experience prepared him for the demands of professional golf.
Path to Golf
Kim’s transition to professional golf began in late 2012 when he entered the PGA Tour Qualifying School at just 17 years old. He finished tied for 20th, becoming the youngest player ever to graduate from the qualifying school. Because PGA Tour rules required members to be at least 18, he had to wait until midway through the 2013 season to join the Tour.
His early appearances on the PGA Tour were a learning experience, as he struggled to make cuts during his rookie season. To gain experience, he also competed on the Web.com Tour in 2013 and 2014, steadily improving his results. By 2015, Kim won his first professional event, the Stonebrae Classic on the Web.com Tour, becoming the second-youngest winner in that tour’s history behind Jason Day. His strong play that season earned him a full PGA Tour card for 2016.
Si Woo Kim Career
Early Career (2012–2015)
Kim’s professional career began with a notable performance at the 2012 PGA Tour Qualifying School, where he finished tied for 20th and became the youngest graduate of the qualifying school at 17 years, five months old. Unable to join the PGA Tour immediately due to age restrictions, he waited until 2013 to begin play, though he missed the cut in seven of his eight PGA Tour starts that year.
To continue developing, Kim spent time on the Web.com Tour, where his game matured. In July 2015, he captured his first professional title at the Stonebrae Classic, finishing the season tenth on the Web.com Tour money list. This success earned him a PGA Tour card for the 2016 season and signaled his readiness for the highest level of competition.
PGA Tour Breakthrough (2016–2017)
Kim’s first PGA Tour victory came at the 2016 Wyndham Championship, where he became the youngest winner on Tour that season. The win announced his arrival as a serious contender and gave him valuable confidence heading into the following year.
His biggest triumph came in May 2017 at The Players Championship, often regarded as the most prestigious event on the PGA Tour. He closed with a bogey-free 69 to finish three shots ahead of Ian Poulter and Louis Oosthuizen, becoming the youngest champion in the tournament’s history and the second Korean winner after K. J. Choi. The victory moved him from 73rd to 28th in the Official World Golf Ranking and cemented his status as a rising star in the sport.
Continued Success and 2021–2023 Era
In 2021, Kim added a third PGA Tour title at The American Express in La Quinta, California, closing with an 8-under 64 to beat Patrick Cantlay by one stroke. Later that year, he tied for the lead through 72 holes at the Wyndham Championship before falling in a playoff to Kevin Kisner.
Kim continued to perform at a high level in the years that followed. In September 2022, he represented the International team at the Presidents Cup, winning three of his four matches. In January 2023, he captured his fourth PGA Tour title at the Sony Open in Hawaii, birdieing the final two holes to win by one shot over Hayden Buckley. These results reinforced his reputation as a steady performer in the closing stages of tournaments.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kim is known for his composed demeanor and accuracy off the tee, traits that have served him well on demanding PGA Tour setups. His strengths include a reliable short game and the ability to perform under pressure, both of which were on display during his Players Championship run. Coaches and analysts have often pointed to his consistent ball-striking and willingness to play disciplined, strategic golf as defining features of his approach.
Notable Events and Milestones
The defining milestone of Kim’s career remains his 2017 Players Championship victory, which made him the youngest winner of the event at 21 years old. Other notable moments include his playoff loss at the 2018 RBC Heritage, where he fell to Satoshi Kodaira on the third extra hole, and his Presidents Cup appearance in 2022. In major championships, his best results include a T12 at the 2021 Masters, T13 at the 2017 U.S. Open, T15 at the 2022 Open Championship, and T8 at the 2025 PGA Championship.
Si Woo Kim Career Wins
Si Woo Kim has recorded five professional victories in total, comprising four PGA Tour titles and one Korn Ferry Tour win. His wins have come across a range of conditions and courses, demonstrating his adaptability and consistency at the highest levels of the game.
PGA Tour Highlights
Kim’s first PGA Tour win came at the 2016 Wyndham Championship, where he was the youngest winner that season. He followed this with the 2017 Players Championship, his most prestigious title, winning by three shots at age 21. His third PGA Tour victory came in January 2021 at The American Express, and his most recent came at the 2023 Sony Open in Hawaii.
Across his PGA Tour career, Kim has also posted several near-misses in playoffs, including the 2018 RBC Heritage and the 2021 Wyndham Championship. His playoff record stands at 0 wins and 3 losses on the PGA Tour, despite often holding or sharing the lead heading into extra holes.
Other Wins and Performances
On the Korn Ferry Tour, Kim captured the 2015 Stonebrae Classic, his first professional title and a key step toward earning his PGA Tour card. He also represented the International team at the 2022 Presidents Cup, winning three of four matches. In addition, Kim earned a team medal at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou in the men’s team event, further highlighting his contributions to South Korean golf.
Si Woo Kim Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details of Si Woo Kim’s immediate family, including his parents and any siblings, are not widely documented in public sources. His upbringing in Seoul, however, placed him within South Korea’s strong golf culture, which has produced numerous international champions.
Personal Life
Si Woo Kim is married to Oh Ji-hyun, with the couple tying the knot in 2022. The pair have been seen together at PGA Tour events, and Kim has spoken about the supportive role his wife plays in his career. He makes his home in Dallas, Texas, a popular base for many PGA Tour professionals due to its favorable climate and proximity to several tour stops.
2025 Season Performance
Si Woo Kim’s 2025 season has included steady play across both regular events and majors, reinforcing his position as one of the PGA Tour’s consistent performers. His strongest major result of the year came at the PGA Championship, where he finished tied for eighth, matching his best-ever showing in a major championship. He also made appearances at the Masters, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship, continuing his record of qualifying for all four majors.
Beyond the majors, Kim has put himself in contention at several regular PGA Tour stops, relying on the same accurate ball-striking that has defined his career. While he has yet to add a fifth PGA Tour title in 2025, his consistent finishes have kept him inside the top tier of the Official World Golf Ranking, which reached as high as 18th in June 2026.
Looking ahead, Kim remains a candidate to contend at the upcoming FedExCup Playoffs events and to add to his win total in the closing months of the season. With his established track record and continued form, he is expected to be a regular presence on leaderboards as the season progresses.
