THE PRESIDENTS CUP

September 21, 2022

Si Woo Kim

Quail Hollow Club

Press Conference

Q. What is the relationship like with all the South Koreans on the team this year?

SI WOO KIM: We're used to knowing each other one time, and then Tom Kim, like we know each other like almost less than a year, but we're very friendly. When he came out here, we played practice rounds a lot.

So we're pretty close, and we're hanging out like dinner or practice rounds a lot on TOUR. So, yeah, we are very close to each other.

Q. Having four guys here for the first time, does it show that South Korean men's golf is the best it's ever been, or are you guys still chasing some of the things that K.J. and Y.E. Yang did?

SI WOO KIM: Yeah, it used to be that K.J. is the first one and then Y.E. Yang, and we're trying to follow them. Now like everyone's like tried to get on this TOUR, like a lot of young guys went through the Korn Ferry.

So I think we keep getting many players to come out here the next few years. We have very good players, like Korean players, so very good to have a lot of the same country players on TOUR.

Q. The next major international event is the Asian Games. I think two pros can go for each country. What is it going to be like now that you're competing against the other South Koreans to get one of those spots, right? Is that how it works?

SI WOO KIM: Yeah, long time left, that's next year. I'm only going to focus on this week and then go from there.

Q. What is your relationship with K.J. like?

SI WOO KIM: He was like, when he was younger, when I was watching K.J. on TV and he win a lot of top tens, he was one of my idols when I was younger.

So when I came here first time, I played a lot of practice rounds with him and then have dinner with him. It was like a dream come true with this TOUR, and when I was younger watching him, then playing together on the same TOUR. So I was pretty nervous the first time.

Q. Can you describe -- do you remember the first time you met him?

SI WOO KIM: Yeah, it was I earned my card through the Q-School, so I saw him the first time at AT&T. That was my first event. Yeah, I said hi to K.J., so I was pretty nervous.

Q. What's the biggest thing that he's taught you about the game of golf?

SI WOO KIM: Like when I was in 2017 PLAYERS, that week before the first day, we played a practice round together, he gave me some tips from that course. I think he gave a lot for me. Yeah, he's always trying to help us Korean players.

Q. I know you were asked about this before, but with having four players on the international team, do you guys -- in what ways do you guys gel together? I don't know, in what ways are you teammates beyond just being on the international team, like are you teammates? I'm having a difficult time expressing my question. Do you have a special bond with the four other players.

SI WOO KIM: Like all the teammates, we know each other a couple years and a long time. I was on the team in 2017. I was pretty much here, then all the players didn't see them much. Now I play on TOUR a lot, so we know each other well. All the relationships are great.

Q. Quick question about Tom. You mentioned that you've known him for a while, and everyone has talked about the energy that he brings here. Is that new to you, or have you always known that and you're just excited that other people can kind of know Tom?

SI WOO KIM: I saw him first time where like team was having dinner. That's my first time seeing him. He was pretty quiet that year. Just eat a lot.

Then we know each other well, and then he's getting some energy. Yeah, he's got some good energy and always brings a smile. Yeah, he's good to all the teammates and good for him too.

Q. Based on your opinion, who eats the most from the international team?

SI WOO KIM: It's hard, like definitely all the Koreans, but I guess Tom and Sungjae, but I would say Tom.

Q. Who is more likely to cry if the international team wins?

SI WOO KIM: Like all the players?

Q. It could be captains too.

SI WOO KIM: Pretty much all of them, I guess, because it's going to be history in the U.S. But if we win, like Weir, like I think all of them.

Q. Who has the most team spirit?

SI WOO KIM: I think Adam Scott. He's playing tenth time this week. He has a lot of history and a lot of experience. So, yeah, he wants to like give us good speech and tips.

Q. Who gives the best advice?

SI WOO KIM: Captain Trevor.

Q. Si Woo, you've obviously been out with your pods the last two weeks, but I'm curious in your mind what makes a good partner in these pairings? Obviously that's so key to winning these matches. What in your mind makes a good partner? Not only for you but just maybe in general.

SI WOO KIM: I think course-wise, like kind of pretty long course to me, so I think we have a pretty good team. I think my opinion -- like it's hard to explain, but I would say if had a good short game player, like good match with long driver guys, I think that does kind of work for us.

I don't know, everyone hits it far, but that's my opinion of how the team works.

Q. That makes sense. Could you also speak about the chemistry that's been built with your teams, not only this year but with previous teams. I know in Australia has one of the things that came out with that competition. You really sort of everyone bought in and built this character and built the team camaraderie. Tell me how much more comfortable guys are now with each other. It's not just about being paired with guys from the same nationality.

SI WOO KIM: Yeah, like first time I was on the team, like I didn't know guys very well because I pretty much new here and guys playing for long time they know each other very well. But I'm the only one Korean that was on the team, so that was a little tricky for me.

This year it's a lot of like -- we have four Korean players, and it makes it a little easier and comfortable so I can get more confidence language-wise.

So I think all the teammates pretty good relationship has. So I think we're going to have a great week.

Q. We know you have a Colombian friend this week on the bag. How is your relationship, and how has been the synergy with Manny this week?

SI WOO KIM: I saw him like a few years ago, and we always like joke a lot. Then we pair together with the other players, and we were joking a lot.

I was close to him like two years. Yeah, before the Presidents Cup picks, I choose him. Him and me are really good. I think good for the team.

Q. Will you be continuing with him later on on the PGA?

SI WOO KIM: Yes. We're going to keep going, then I hope we can get a win.

Q. You played in the Asian Amateur back in 2011. I just would love to hear about what that event had like an impact on you at a young age?

SI WOO KIM: It was kind of like to me like major amateur championship because like every country, international -- how do I say it?

Q. Representative.

SI WOO KIM: Yeah, representative players want to play there. So I saw Hideki win when I played before. Yeah, I was impressed. Then I really want to play there.

Maybe I was playing in Singapore. Yeah, it was really good experience.

Q. One follow-up. Any specific fond memories of that week that come to mind?

SI WOO KIM: It was a really fun week, and then we traveled together with the Korean National Team, so that was a good experience, and it was a fun week.

I think that week Hideki won, so it was pretty high I want to win next time.

Q. Si Woo, you've been a part of this international team before. How is this team this week here at Quail Hollow different from in the past?

SI WOO KIM: We feel pretty good, and then we're like all the player relationships are great. We had a final test today, so it was perfect teamwork.

So I hope to win some matches. I hope our team wins.

Q. We talked so much about the teams and everything that's going on. We've hardly heard much about the course. Tell us how the course is playing right now and what you expect over the next four days.

SI WOO KIM: Course conditions really great, and the fairways and greens and tee box, all the shapes great. Especially greens really fast and hilly.

It's hard to speed control, but I hope to figure it out.

Q. It seems like Trevor Immelman has you guys embracing the upset role, embracing being the underdog. Do you like that? Do you like coming in as the underdog?

SI WOO KIM: Yeah, we're like nothing to lose so we can play less pressure. Then if we win, it's kind of like history. So we play hard as I can. Yeah, we had a great week.

Q. You'll be 28 years old next year. For the Asian Games, would you still get the military exemption if you win a gold medal at age 28 next year?

SI WOO KIM: I don't know about that.