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
![Kris Kim of England hits a tee shot on the 14th hole during the second round of THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch on May 03, 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zAbbQJAZaaU3KVzf3x8TNj-1280-80.jpg)
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.
-
TGL Week 5 - All The Information You Need For The Bumper Four Game Week
The fifth TGL week features a Presidents Day triple-header at the SoFi Center, with a fourth match the day after
By Mike Hall Published
-
LIV Golf CEO Reveals Upcoming Talks With LPGA Tour On Potential Involvement In Women's Game
Scott O'Neil has confirmed to Australian Golf Digest that he will hold talks with interim LPGA commissioner Liz Moore
By Mike Hall Published
-
Watch: Ludvig Aberg Makes First Hole-In-One Of PGA Tour Career At Genesis Invitational
The Swede achieved his maiden PGA Tour ace during the third round at the 140-yard third to remain firmly in contention for the title
By Mike Hall Published
-
Ludvig Aberg Reveals Details Of Mystery Illness That Forced Pebble Beach Pro-Am Withdrawal
The Swede revealed the extent of the mystery illness that began at the Farmers Insurance Open and led to him withdrawing from the Pebble Beach Pro-Am after the first round
By Mike Hall Published
-
Adam Hadwin's Wife Teases Star With Hilarious Valentine's Day Card After Genesis Invitational Missed Cut
Adam Hadwin's wife Jessica found inspiration from his poor first round at the Genesis Invitational with a hilarious Valentine's Day card
By Mike Hall Published
-
Xander Schauffele Reveals When He Hopes To Return After Spell Out With Rib Injury
The World No.2 hopes to return to action in early March with the Arnold Palmer Invitational following a spell out with a rib injury
By Mike Hall Published
-
Watch The Genesis Invitational Round Three: Live Streams, TV Coverage, Timings For Saturday's Play
How to watch The Genesis Invitational on Saturday February 15, with all the information on live streams and TV broadcasts for Round Three wherever you are in the world.
By Patrick Fletcher Published
-
Scottie Scheffler Receives Big Slice Of Rules Luck At Genesis Invitational
The World No.1 remains in contention going into the weekend of the Genesis Invitational, but suffered a bizarre start to his second round on Friday
By Matt Cradock Published
-
9 Big Names Who Missed The Cut At The Genesis Invitational
Despite being a Signature Event, the 72-man Genesis Invitational featured a cut, with some big names failing to make it into the weekend at Torrey Pines
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Scottie Scheffler Makes Equipment Change For Genesis Invitational
World No.1 Scottie Scheffler has made a surprise equipment switch at the Genesis Invitational, with a TaylorMade Qi35 7-wood making it into his bag at Torrey Pines
By Paul Higham Published