16-Year-Old Amateur Kris Kim Becomes Youngest European To Make Cut In PGA Tour History
Kris Kim birdied his last hole in the second round to become the youngest player to make the cut on Tour since 2015


16-year-old amateur Kris Kim set records flying at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson, as he became the youngest European to make the cut in PGA Tour history in his debut appearance.
Kim, son of former LPGA Tour player Ji-Hyun Suh, made an impressive start with a three-under 68 in the first round and held his nerve down the stretch on Friday, shooting a second-round 67 to make the weekend by one shot.
The English teenager is the youngest player to make the cut on Tour since 2015, while his achievement in Texas sees him break Jordan Spieth's long-held record for the youngest player to make a cut in CJ CUP Byron Nelson history.
"It feels pretty good," a relieved Kim said after his second round. "I feel like I've played well over the last two days. Stayed pretty patient out there. I guess it worked. I knew something around this number would be good enough, but, yeah, to shoot it, I'm pretty happy. I can't wait to get started again tomorrow."
Starting his second round in the afternoon waves on the low-scoring TPC Craig Ranch, Kim needed a fast start and got just that, making two birdies in his opening three holes.
A bogey at the par-3 fourth set him back, but the English youngster responded in fine style, birdieing his next two holes before taking advantage of the par-5 ninth to sign off for a front-nine 32.
The fifth-youngest player to ever make a cut on TOUR 👏Kris Kim is playing the weekend @CJByronNelson. pic.twitter.com/0EH2JMdohOMay 4, 2024
Kim, though, slipped up on the 13th, making bogey to drop back to six-under and sit precariously on the cut line with five holes still to play. However, the debutant showed no signs of nerves and bounced back with four successive pars before birdieing the par-5 18th to secure his place in the weekend in a tie for 36th.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"To be honest it being a par-5 it's pretty helpful," Kim said. Yeah, I mean, there is always going to be nerves when you're on the cut line whatever tournament. Yeah, it was pretty good."
Asked on his goal for the final two rounds, he added: "Go as low as possible and have some fun out there. I've enjoyed it so much the last couple days, and being here two more days makes it so much sweeter."
Kim sits seven shots off the lead, which is held by Jake Knapp after consecutive rounds of 64. The American won earlier in the year at the Mexican Open and holds a one-shot lead over Troy Merritt and first-round leader Matt Wallace.
Ben joined Golf Monthly having completed his NCTJ in multimedia sports journalism at News Associates, London. He is now a freelance journalist who also works for The Independent, Metro, UEFA and Stats Perform.
-
Jon Rahm Equals Bryson DeChambeau's LIV Golf Record After Strong Start In Singapore
The Legion XIII captain matched Bryson DeChambeau's record for consecutive scores under-par in the second round of LIV Golf Singapore
By Mike Hall Published
-
'It's Hard To Care This Much About Something And Just Not Get Anything Out Of It' - Max Homa Remains 'Proud' Of Hard Work As Course Form Struggles Continue
Speaking to the PGA Tour's Paul Hodowanic, Homa explained how the hard work and care is still present in his game, despite a fourth missed cut at TPC Sawgrass
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'It's Hard To Care This Much About Something And Just Not Get Anything Out Of It' - Max Homa Remains 'Proud' Of Hard Work As Course Form Struggles Continue
Speaking to the PGA Tour's Paul Hodowanic, Homa explained how the hard work and care is still present in his game, despite a fourth missed cut at TPC Sawgrass
By Matt Cradock Published
-
The Players Championship 2025 Weather Forecast - Windy Weekend In Store At TPC Sawgrass
The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is difficult enough, but now reported high winds are about to make the test even harder
By Michael Weston Published
-
Rory McIlroy Reunited With Old Clubs After Near $1000 Uber Ride
The four-time Major winner switched back to his old clubs at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, with the Uber trip to get them costing a near $1000
By Matt Cradock Published
-
The Incredible Numbers Behind Justin Thomas' Historic Second Round At The Players Championship
The American produced an incredible second round at the famous TPC Sawgrass, with Thomas rewriting a number of records on Friday
By Michael Weston Published
-
9 Big Names To Miss The Players Championship Cut
A number of Ryder Cup stars, Major winners and former World No.1s are heading home early at TPC Sawgrass
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Allowing LIV Golfers, Starting A Champions Dinner And Adding A PGA Tour University Route... 7 Ways To Elevate The Players Championship And Bring It Even Closer To The Majors
With all the talk of the Players Championship being a possible fifth Major, we look at seven changes that could elevate the event to the highest level of men's pro golf
By Paul Higham Published
-
Wyndham Clark Withdraws From The Players Championship
Last year's runner-up withdrew due to a neck injury after playing nine holes of his second round on Friday
By Elliott Heath Published
-
'To The Brandel Chamblees, To The Paul McGinleys To The Rocco Mediates Of The World, I Don't Regret Anything I Said' - Collin Morikawa Issues Emotional Reply To Critics
The two-time Major winner told his critics that he doesn't regret his words after saying he doesn't owe anyone anything following his decision to not speak to the press on Sunday at Bay Hill
By Elliott Heath Published