After two-and-a-half years, Tom Kim is back where it all began—competing in the Link Hong Kong Open. And let’s be honest, the buzz around his return is almost as electric as the man himself.
At just 22, the South Korean sensation has already carved out a golf career that most players would trade their 9-irons for.
But for Kim, this week is about more than birdies and trophies. It’s a nostalgic return to his roots, where the Asian Tour set him on the path to becoming one of golf’s brightest young stars.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
“This is where I started; I have a lot of my friends here,” said Kim, now aged 22. “Going to the US I have not been able to come back because of a busy schedule. It is really nice to be back.
I think I have said hello to so many people. It is a tight group here. I have been outside that group for a bit but to see all the guys now is really great. It is different out here.”
His last—and only—appearance at the Hong Kong Open came in 2020 when a then-teenage Kim tied for 18th.
That tournament wrapped up just before COVID-19 brought the Asian Tour to a screeching halt for nearly two years.
“I was so young then. I played with Jazz (Janewattananond) and Shane Lowry that week [in Hong Kong].
I felt so excited. Now I just feel like I want to be that kid again. I don’t get to play back here much now but Asia is my motherland. When I step on that first tee on Thursday, I want to feel 17 again,” he said.
From Prodigy to Powerhouse
Let’s not forget what Kim has accomplished since his breakout years on the Asian Tour. He picked up his first two wins at the Panasonic Open India in 2019 and the Singapore International in 2022.
He also clinched the 2020-2022 Asian Tour Order of Merit—a nice feather in his cap before storming onto the global stage.
And storm he did. By July 2022, Kim had made his mark on the PGA Tour with a win at the Wyndham Championship. That win was followed by another PGA title the same year, cementing his status as golf’s next big thing.
“Every year goes by so quickly for me. I started when I was 17 when I played this event. Now I am 22. A lot of things have changed,” he added.
“I am definitely not that same 17-year-old any more. It is a draining sport. I have had some rewards, but I have had some scar tissue. You develop this personality, and you become a man.”
A Gritty Competitor
While Kim’s trophy shelf has grown heavier, the past year has thrown its fair share of challenges his way.
Two sudden-death playoff losses—first to world number one Scottie Scheffler at the Travelers Championship in June and then to fellow Korean An Byeong Hun at the Genesis Championship in October—might discourage some, but not Kim.
“Game is good. Made some changes mid-season and got to see a lot of good things. I have been playing really well, just working on a few things right now. Trying to get ready for next year,” he explained.
There’s no doubt he’s itching to turn the heartbreak of those close calls into a win this week at the Link Hong Kong Open.
More Than Just Another Tournament
This isn’t just another stop on the calendar for Kim—it’s the 19th event of the Asian Tour season and the eighth in The International Series. The stakes are high, but so is the excitement.
For Kim, though, it’s not just about winning. It’s about reconnecting with the game he loves and the people who’ve been part of his journey.
Fans will be eagerly watching to see if this talented, determined player can reignite the magic that put him on the map.
If you want to dive deeper into The International Series, visit www.internationalseries.com.
