South Korea’s Tom Kim returned to the PGA TOUR winner’s circle in spectacular fashion, capturing the Genesis Scottish Open with a flawless final-round 8-under 64 to end a 1,001-day victory drought.
The 24-year-old finished the tournament at 17-under-par, securing his fourth PGA TOUR title and his first since winning the Shriners Children’s Open in October 2023.
Kim entered the week with growing confidence after recording a solo third-place finish at the U.S. Open, and he carried that momentum to Renaissance Club, a venue where he has consistently performed well. His victory adds to an impressive record at the Scottish Open, having previously finished third in 2022—a result that helped him earn PGA TOUR membership.
“It’s really special,” Kim said after lifting the trophy. “I’m at a loss for words.”
The tournament presented a unique challenge after the third round was interrupted by haar, the dense sea fog common along Scotland’s east coast. Kim completed only seven holes on Saturday before play was suspended, forcing players into a demanding marathon Sunday.
After finishing his third round with a 2-under 68 early Sunday morning, Kim returned in the afternoon and delivered a bogey-free masterclass. His closing 64 matched the lowest round of the day and proved enough to hold off a strong chasing pack.
Australia’s Min Woo Lee, the 2021 Scottish Open champion, finished runner-up at 15-under, while England’s Matt Fitzpatrick shared third place at 13-under alongside PGA TOUR rookie Johnny Keefer.
Keefer’s finish earned him a coveted place in next week’s The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Michael Thorbjornsen and Victor Perez also secured Open Championship berths through their performances.
With the victory, Kim became only the fifth non-American golfer to win four PGA TOUR titles before turning 25, joining an elite group that includes Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, and Hideki Matsuyama.
Kim’s resurgence has been remarkable. Just a month ago, he had slipped outside the world’s top 150, but a series of strong performances has quickly reignited his career. His triumph in Scotland not only marks a return to winning form but also establishes him as one of the leading contenders heading into the final major championship of the season.
