THE PRESIDENTS CUP

September 24, 2022

Tom Kim

Si Woo Kim

Quail Hollow Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Tom Kim, Si Woo Kim, congratulations. Tom, you have quickly become the favorite here at the Presidents Cup. You're having so much fun. You had the weight of the match on your shoulders coming down 18. How did you manage to do it?

TOM KIM: I had my team looking over. I wanted that putt more than anything in the world.

Prior to it, I had my partner with me all day, and we made some clutch shots. And I'm really happy I was able to deliver this one for the team.

Q. Si Woo, how nice was it to watch the putt and to celebrate with Tom and the rest of your teammates?

SI WOO KIM: Yeah, we were, like, start before. We had a quick, like, partnership and then teammates. So we kept positive, and then I know Tom's really good with the putter, and, yeah, I believe in him.

And then, yeah, it was -- I kept trusting him, and then we played positive. The last three hole was a little tough for me. But, yeah, we did it, and we beat the pressure.

Q. And you beat a tough American team. Tom, from the start of your matches, you stand out there and get the crowd going. I see you on the green looking at the crowd and taking it all in. How much are you soaking in each individual moment here?

TOM KIM: I'm trying to bring energy to the team. So I feel like that's the least I can do for the team. I just want to get the crowd going.

We're on American soil, and it's not easy for us internationals. So I'm trying to use it as my motivation and definitely using it as my energy. I've thrown a lot of fist pumps. It's amazing.

Q. Tom, what a moment for you and the international team. You were pumped up all day long for this match, weren't you?

TOM KIM: Yeah. It was my second round so it wasn't easy. But it's a hard team. I played them yesterday. We lost 3 down. I told myself I really want to beat these guys. It doesn't get any tougher than Xander and Patrick.

So it's an amazing feeling to be able to hole that winning putt for the team. I'll remember this for a while.

Q. I bet you'll all remember it for a while. Si Woo, talk about pairing with Tom. I know you're an intense player too. I know you want to beat those guys pretty badly?

SI WOO KIM: Yeah. I hear this morning I'll play with Tom this afternoon. So I was happy for, like, Korean teammate. And then he had every day pumped. So I got more motivation because he's got a lot of energy. And then everything's playing confidence.

So definitely, that helped between rounds. Yeah, it was the best finish.

Q. Great shots. Real quick what did it mean to do this with Si Woo Kim, someone I'm sure you looked up to growing up, and have K.J. Choi watching?

TOM KIM: Yeah, it was an honor. I've known Si Woo for a little bit, and I felt like we were a really good duo for the afternoon team. I've told him from the start that we're going to be able to do this.

We know each other's game so well, and you just got to keep sticking it. They're not going to go away. We're going to have to play really, really good golf.

My partner has made so much clutch putts on 16 and 17 to give me a chance on 18. So I just want to thank him.

Q. These guys win two of the last three holes, including the incredible birdie on the final hole. What did you see on the putt, and what were your emotions when you saw the ball drop in?

TOM KIM: Funny thing is the last few holes, my putts were missing high because of speed, and I gave the same amount as I would normally do. I just told myself just get some good speed on it, and, you know, I was definitely praying for it a little bit.

But I had my partner with me. I had my whole team behind me. I just told myself, I got this. I wouldn't want anyone else to hole that putt except for myself. I really wanted it.

I told the team, I want a putt, something important like that, on any of the days. So to be able to hole that putt and give -- we're a little down, but for us to be able to hole that putt and get a point for the team is unbelievable.

Q. Si Woo, what does this guy bring to the team?

SI WOO KIM: Nothing much, just everything is better than me (laughter). I'm having bad time, like, front nine, and then he carried me. Then he (indiscernible ) pull out of bush and got a little wake up, and then last four holes, we try to keep positive and then try our best.

Q. What does a win in this match and the fact that you fought back in this afternoon session give you in regards to optimism heading into tomorrow?

TOM KIM: It's huge, you know, especially if you beat a time like Xander and Patrick. I have huge respect for them, but I wanted them to know and I wanted the American team to know that we're going to fight.

It's not easy on American soil. It really isn't. We're here to win, and we're here to fight. So I'm just happy that we're able to reduce the points and have a chance on Sunday.