Kris Kim’s record-breaking debut on the PGA Tour has been heralded by Justin Rose as “a breakthrough moment” after the 16-year-old English amateur made history.
The Surrey teenager became the youngest European to make the cut on the US circuit and the fifth youngest-ever of any nationality. Playing on an invite from the sponsors of the CJ Cup in Dallas, Kim qualified for the weekend after the likes of Jordan Spieth fell short.
On the back of Lottie Woad coming in the top 25 of the Chevon Championship – the first female major of the season – a few weeks after winning the Augusta National Women’s Amateur at the hallowed Masters layout, it was a remarkable boost for the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Championship.
Three years ago, Kim finished runner-up in the boys tournament, while Woad also claimed silver medal honours that weekend. Rose was in attendance to witness these fine talents and tweeted a picture of him celebrating in front of the TV when Woad prevailed at Augusta. However, as a golfer who famously missed the first 21 cuts in the pro ranks as a teenager, it is easy to understand why Kim’s display in Dallas felt so resonant.
“What an incredible week for a 16-year-old,” Rose told Telegraph Sport. “I know from painful experience how hard it is to make the cut. I watched Kris at Walton Heath and saw his potential. He has a great future ahead of him. After Lottie winning at Augusta and then playing great at the Chevron it just shows the talent coming through. We are proud that they played in our junior championship. Lottie and Kris have shown what is possible and that is brilliant. These are breakthrough moments.”
On the LIV Golf League, Brooks Koepka won the tournament in Singapore to signal he has returned to form before his defence of the USPGA in two weeks’ time.
The five time-major winner finished two ahead of Australians Cam Smith and Marc Leishman and then sent a warning to his rivals who will tee it up at Valhalla in the season’s second major. “I’m starting to peak again and am really looking forward to it,” he said.
