Korean Kim Si-woo earns 4th career PGA Tour win in Hawaii
Korean Kim Si-woo earns 4th career PGA Tour win in Hawaii
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Kim shot an 18-under 262 to win the Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Sunday (local time). With a final round of six-under 64, Kim held off Hayden Buckley of the United States by one stroke.
Kim, world No. 84, began the final round three shots off the lead held by Buckley. But Kim was clutch down the stretch Sunday, with birdies on each of the final two holes, for his first title in two years.
Kim, 27, is the second Korean to win in the 2022-23 season, joining Kim Joo-hyung at the Shriners Children's Open in October.
"It can't be better than this," Kim said. "There's a lot of season left. Hopefully, I will get more wins."
Kim, playing in a group ahead of Buckley, started his day with 한국을 three straight birdies and then went bogey-birdie-bogey-birdie over the last four holes on the front nine. He made the turn at 15-under, one behind Buckley.
"I was three shots back. I had to keep playing aggressive. I think that mindset really helped," Kim said of his quick start. "I didn't have time to feel pressure. I had to try to make birdie on every hole."
Buckley birdied the first hole but then picked up nine consecutive pars to cling to a one-shot lead. He then committed his first bogey of the day on the 11th hole to drop to 15-under, momentarily tied with Kim.
Kim stood on the 12th fairway as Buckley blinked first. The Korean then put his second shot about 10 feet below the hole and drained the putt for a birdie that gave him a one-shot advantage at 16-under.
Then a seesaw match ensued between Kim and Buckley.
Buckley birdied the 12th hole to pull even with Kim at 16-under. Kim picked up three straight pars from 13th to 15th, while Buckley reclaimed his one-shot lead at 17-under with a 28-foot birdie putt at the 14th.
The battle took a stunning turn on the 15th green, where Buckley missed a three-foot par attempt and dropped back into a tie with Kim at 16-under.