'Younggun' Kim Juhyung "I also want to attend the Champions Dinner"

Masters Press Conference Right After Practice Round with Woods
Kim Juhyung: "It Was Like a Dream to Be with Woods"

‘Young Gun’ Kim Joo-hyung dreamed of becoming the youngest winner of the Masters.

On the 4th (local time), at the official press conference of the 87th Masters held at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, USA, Kim Joo-hyung said, "Everyone wants to have a spot in the parking lot champion's seat or attend the Champions Dinner hosted by the winner, and I feel the same way," adding with a smile, "If I get a chance to win on the final day, it would truly be like a dream." The record for the youngest Masters winner is held by Tiger Woods (USA), who set it in 1997 at 21 years and 3 months old, while Kim Joo-hyung is currently 20 years and 10 months old.

Kim Juhyung is smiling brightly during the Masters practice round. [Augusta (USA) = AP·Yonhap News]

Regarding Hideki Matsuyama (Japan), who became the first Asian player to win the Masters in 2021, Kim Joo-hyung said, "Recently, the number of Asian players on the PGA Tour has increased a lot," and added, "If an Asian player wins the Masters, it will have an even greater impact on the next generation."

Kim Joo-hyung, who is attracting attention as a ‘next-generation star’ on the PGA Tour, was at the center of attention the day before when he practiced with Tiger Woods, world No. 2 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), and ‘Gentleman of the Field’ Fred Couples (USA). All three players are top-level athletes with major championship wins. It is also unusual that Kim Joo-hyung, making his Masters debut, was selected as a subject for the official tournament press conference.

Kim Joo-hyung said with a bright smile, "I grew up watching Woods win the Masters since I was young," and added, "My favorite player is Woods, so practicing my first Masters round with him felt like a dream." He continued, "It was an honor, and I wondered if this was reality," explaining, "Woods has won the Masters five times, and practicing with him, I learned and felt a lot by watching his approach shots, bunker shots, and putting."

This year’s Masters will be held over four days from the 6th at Augusta National Golf Club (par 72, 7,545 yards) in Augusta, Georgia, USA. Kim Joo-hyung will start rounds 1 and 2 alongside Rory McIlroy, who is pursuing a ‘career Grand Slam,’ and Sam Burns (USA), a five-time PGA Tour champion.