Kim Joo-hyung, a Player Aiming for a Comeback Next Year

Only Top-10 Finish Was Seventh at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
World Ranking Plunged from 21st Last Year to 107th
Struggles After Swing Changes, But Youth Offers Hope
Clark, Spieth, Fowler, and Finau Also Named as Comeback Candidates

Kim Joo-hyung has been recognized as a player aiming for a comeback next year.

Recently, CBS Sports in the United States published an article titled "Players to Watch for a Comeback on the 2026 PGA Tour," highlighting eight players who struggled this year. Kim Joo-hyung was among them.

Kim Joo-hyung joined the PGA Tour as a special temporary member. At the age of 20, he won the Wyndham Championship in 2022 as a special temporary member. He became the first player born after 2000 to win a PGA Tour event and set the record as the youngest Korean champion ever (20 years, 1 month, and 18 days). He has achieved three career victories on the PGA Tour.

JungHyeong Kim aims for a comeback in next year's PGA Tour. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Kim Joo-hyung struggled this year. He competed in 26 PGA Tour events, and his only top-10 finish was a tie for seventh at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in January. His world ranking dropped from 21st at the end of last year to 107th now.

CBS Sports noted, "Kim Joo-hyung does not have entry to the eight signature events or the four major championships on the 2026 PGA Tour," adding, "This is a tough reality for a 23-year-old who already has three PGA Tour wins." The article continued, "In 2025, Kim Joo-hyung's putting did not cooperate, his focus on swing speed with the driver led to accuracy issues, and his iron play was also lacking."

The outlet added, "Although there were signs of improvement toward the end of the season, Kim Joo-hyung needs to return to the form he showed at the beginning of his PGA Tour career." It also highlighted that "fortunately, he is still among the younger players on tour," emphasizing his potential for a rebound. The article also listed Wyndham Clark, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Tony Finau, Sahith Theegala, Max Homa, and Will Zalatoris (all from the United States) as other comeback candidates.