Kim’s self-deprecating attitude, coupled with a winning mentality and an abundance of talent, are very much ingredients that should propel him towards his goals of winning golf’s biggest tournaments and becoming World No. 1. He will end 2023 as the highest ranked Asian golfer at World No. 11, eclipsing the likes of countrymen Sungjae Im, Si Woo Kim and Japanese star HidekI Matsuyama.

The year 2023 was no doubt a tale of two halves for Kim, who struggled to hit consistent results after ramping up his ball speed. He enjoyed a couple of top-10s early in the year before hitting a flat line.

“Technically, my ball speed has gone up a lot from last year, so my timing is a little different. I needed to find new balance with my body and my swing. As these things improved in the second half, my results improved and I think I made the most progress in my short game and mentality,” he said.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 15: Tom Kim of South Korea lines up a putt on the sixth green during the final round of the Shriners Children’s Open at TPC Summerlin on October 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

He recalled flushing a four-iron approach shot to perfection on the final hole of the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club in June which produced a closing birdie and a career first top-10 in a major. It proved to be the catalyst for a strong summer as he went on to finish T-6 at the Genesis Scottish Open and runner-up at The Open Championship, despite playing with a sprained ankle.

“I was inside the top-10 going into 17 (at the U.S. Open) and doubled 17. I then hit a four iron to within five feet at the last and made birdie that got me a top-10 in my first major. It was cool,” said Kim.

He feels the biggest change for him since bursting through in 2022 with two PGA TOUR titles and delivering a memorable outing at the Presidents Cup is his mindset and mentality. “I feel like I am a completely different person now,” Kim said.

“I have a really good team around me. Whenever I am hard on myself, they always give me perspective. After a tough round, I’ve seen the results of (having the right) attitude going into the next day. If I have a great attitude, I always play better. I’ve had days where I played bad and the next day had a bad attitude and played horrible. I’ve definitely had to learn.

“Also, when I play with the best players in the world, I learn a lot. I feel like I’m improving. I feel like I’m learning a lot not only about golf, but also about life.”

With a base firmly established in Dallas, Kim is ready to take his career to new heights in 2024, which will include the Paris Olympic Games. “I think for the first time in my life right now, I’m realising that I’m feeling the balance of like you know where I’m playing every year and I know what my schedule is going to look like next year,” he said.

“I don’t need to bounce around houses or hotels, don’t need to worry about booking an Airbnb. I can just go back to my house and that balance in general for me it’s just the biggest thing,” said Kim.

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NOTE: The writer is senior director, marketing and communications – APAC for the PGA TOUR and is based in Malaysia