[2022 New Start⑦] 'Mr. 58' Kim Seong-hyun "Advances to Korn Ferry Tour"..."Next Target is PGA Tour Card"

Korean and Japanese Major Champions Enter US Tour This Year Tied 39th in 2nd Tour QT, Complete Dallas Training Perfectly "There Is a Chance to Win"

Kim Seong-hyun is undergoing practical shot tuning training in the United States ahead of his advancement to the PGA Korn Ferry Tour (second division).

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "My ultimate goal is to join the PGA Tour."

This is the determined declaration of ‘Mr. 58’ Kim Seong-hyun (24, Shinhan Financial Group). Last November, he successfully made a smooth landing by finishing tied for 39th at the PGA Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament (QT) held at Savannah Landing Golf Club in Georgia, USA. He secured tickets to eight Korn Ferry Tour events this year, and if he finishes in the ‘Top 25’ by the end of the year, he can earn a PGA Tour card for next year. He introduced himself by saying, "I am adapting to different grasses on each course" and "I will sprint from the start."

Kim Seong-hyun is the 2020 Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) major KPGA Championship (total prize money 1 billion KRW) champion. He gained even more spotlight after passing the Monday qualifier. He was a national team member from 2016 to 2017 and debuted first on the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) in 2019, then played on the Srixon Tour (2nd tier) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In September, he added a tied 4th place at the Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance KJ Choi Invitational, quickly rising to 4th place in the Korean Tour money rankings.

It is interesting that last year he returned to Japan and set a remarkable record of ‘the mythical 58’ on the final day of the Golf Partner Pro-Am Tournament (total prize money 50 million yen) in May. He shot 12-under-par 58 with 2 eagles and 8 birdies. This is the second time in JGTO history after Ryo Ishikawa (Japan, August 2016, 4 rounds at the Junichi Crowns), and on the PGA Tour, Jim Furyk (USA, August 2016, 4 rounds at the Travelers Championship) is the only ‘58 man’.

Kim Seong-hyun has advanced to the PGA Korn Ferry Tour (2nd tier) this year and will challenge to secure a PGA Tour card for next year.

Attention should be paid to Kim Seong-hyun’s victory at the Japanese PGA Championship in July. He has collected both his Korean and Japanese wins in majors, showing exceptional strength in high-profile matches. In fact, he caused a stir by shooting 9-under-par on the second day of the PGA Tour CJ Cup in October as an invited player, placing tied for 2nd. At that time, world stars such as Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), Dustin Johnson, and Collin Morikawa (both USA) participated, making the atmosphere even more intense. However, he faltered in the 3rd and 4th rounds, finishing tied for 32nd, leaving some regrets.

Kim Seong-hyun secured a strong supporter by signing a title sponsorship contract with Shinhan Financial Group in December, and recruited Patrick Smith, who played on the LPGA Tour, as his caddie. After warming up in Dallas, Texas, at the beginning of the year, he moved to the Bahamas and started the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour season on the 17th. He faces a grueling schedule of five consecutive weeks including the ‘Bahamas back-to-back’ events, followed by a 3-week break, then another 3 consecutive weeks.

For Kim Seong-hyun, the results from these eight events are crucial as rankings and subsequent order will be determined. He expressed confidence, saying, "I have already practiced weight training as well as short game and green play suited to various grasses in Dallas," and added, "With my strong mentality and clutch putting ability, I have a good chance." He firmly resolved, "I will definitely earn my PGA Tour card for 2023."