Tom Kim’s Comeback at the Genesis Scottish Open

Tom Kim secured his second consecutive victory at the Shriners Children’s Open in October 2023, marking his third win on the PGA Tour. Many anticipated that this would lead to even more successes for the young golfer.

Yet, since that impressive win, he hadn’t found his way back to the winner’s circle—until now.

The 24-year-old from South Korea shot an impressive 64 in the final round of the Genesis Scottish Open, earning him his first PGA Tour triumph in nearly three years. He tied for the lowest score of the day, which was a great way to mark his return.

At the Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland, Kim began the tournament strong with an opening round of 5-under 65. His second round of 66 kept him in contention, landing him in a tie for the lead alongside Rory McIlroy and Jordan Smith at the halfway mark.

While McIlroy and Smith struggled during a fog-delayed third round, Kim kept his focus and shot under par with a 68. The delays pushed play into Sunday morning for the final round.

Heading into the fourth round, Kim was one stroke behind Matt Fitzpatrick. However, he quickly closed the gap by making birdies on three of his first seven holes.

Although Lee Min-woo made a late push, cutting Kim’s lead to just one stroke, Kim delivered a superb approach on the par-4 16th hole. This led to his sixth birdie of the day and effectively secured his victory.

This win could not have come at a better moment for Kim. After appearing in all major tournaments from 2023 to 2025, he missed out on both the 2026 Masters and PGA Championship. However, his solid third-place finish at the U.S. Open ensured he wouldn’t have to worry about qualifying for next year’s Masters or PGA Tour events. Winning the Scottish Open has given him automatic entry into both.

Additionally, his performance sets him up well for the 2026 British Open Championship, especially considering he tied for second at the 2023 tournament but missed the events in 2024 and 2025. His overall game seems to be back on track, especially when compared to the previous two seasons.

Keen observers will note he participated in 15 out of 17 events this year, winning the Scottish Open and finishing third at the U.S. Open, a clear reminder of the talent he possesses.

Remarkably, Kim clinched his first two PGA Tour victories at only 20 years old, becoming the first player since Tiger Woods in 1996 to win twice by the age of 21. His third win at 21 gave him a promising outlook on his career ahead. However, like many young players, Kim faced challenges after his Shriners victory, with just three top-10 finishes across 2024 and 2025 and no wins in any majors.

It’s only natural to question if Kim’s early struggles at the highest level were a sign of bigger issues, especially considering his rocky consistency since he joined the tour in 2022.

He will have the opportunity to show that his success isn’t a mere one-off at Royal Birkdale, where the 2026 British Open Championship kicks off on Thursday.