THE CJ CUP BYRON NELSON

May 1, 2024

Kris Kim

TPC Craig Ranch

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, we'd like to welcome Kris Kim to the interview room here at CJ CUP Byron Nelson.

Kris, you're making your PGA TOUR day debut here after receiving a sponsor exemption. What's the anticipation been like I guess I would ask you since you received the invitation and now the day is here that you're joining us?

KRIS KIM: It's been pretty interesting. It's been a dream of mine since I started golf, and to finally be able to play on this platform is incredible for me.

The week so far has gone so great, and hopefully I can just play good golf and make it to the weekend.

Q. Talk about the week so far. You're 16 years old. When did you arrive on site and how much have you seen of the course?

KRIS KIM: I arrived in Texas on Sunday. First round was on Monday. I think it's pretty nice, the course. Weather has been pretty good so far.

But, yeah, hopefully stays the same.

Q. And how do you think the course sets up for your game? What are your strengths and do you see something visually that you think might work for you?

KRIS KIM: I would say I'm pretty well-rounded. I would say off the tee I'm pretty average length. Short game has been pretty sharp out there.

But, yeah, overall I think the course matches me pretty well. Yeah, some pretty good scoring hopefully.

Q. I'm sure you've run into a few players already during the first few days. Is there anybody that's stood out to you that you met that you hadn't met before?

KRIS KIM: I met Jason Day around 30 minutes ago and he's is nice. So, yeah.

Q. Could you talk a little bit how you got into golf? How old were you and what drew you to the game of golf?

KRIS KIM: Probably first hit a golf ball when I was around five. My mom uses to do play on the tour so always used to watch her, and then ended up falling in love with it myself.

Q. Do you have any favorite players on the PGA TOUR or DP World Tour that you've enjoyed their game or how they approached the game or their swing?

KRIS KIM: Probably Rory when I first started because he was playing so well back then. Still playing well now, so...

Q. You've played against Miles Russell before in different things.

KRIS KIM: Yeah.

Q. What are your impressions of him and did you see he made history last week as the youngest to make a cut on the Korn Ferry TOUR?

KRIS KIM: Yeah, obviously a really good golfer and he's a pretty nice guy as well. Yeah, congrats to him. Hopefully I can do something similar this week.

Q. I'm just curious, you're 16 years old; first start on the PGA TOUR. What does an average day look like for you, whether you're at home or on the road?

KRIS KIM: At home usually I've got school, so that will probably go from 8:00 to around 3:00, 4:00. And then I would try and get as much practice in.

Yeah, most of my golf is done on the weekends or on the rest days pretty much.

Q. How many hours a week would you say you practice or are on the golf course?

KRIS KIM: I try to get as much as possible in. On the weekends I would say I'm on the golf course for around eight hours. Yeah, otherwise, I just try to get as much in as possible.

Q. You said you just met Jason Day. Is there any player in this field that you really hope to get some advice or be able to meet?

KRIS KIM: I think all the CJ guys have been really great to me. Yeah, I think overall, like everyone has been so great to me, so, yeah, I'm pretty happy.

Q. Just wondering the story of how you found out you got a spot in this tournament and what your emotions were like when you heard the news.

KRIS KIM: I think I found out about a month ago. Yeah, it was a crazy phone call. (Smiling.) My manager, Jimmy actually told me. Yeah, I was over the moon for the rest of the day.

Q. How much impact did your mom have on you growing up in terms of was she your swing coach, the person you relied on all the time? What was that relationship like as you picked up the game?

KRIS KIM: She's been my only swing coach, so don't really know anything else.

Yeah, she's been really great. Don't think I would be as good without her.

Q. Do you have family out here with you or people that have come to support?

KRIS KIM: Yeah, my whole family, and then couple of my managers from the team.

Q. Any nerves so far? Do you expect that to come on Thursday?

KRIS KIM: I think there is always going to be nerves, whatever tournament. But, yeah, just going to focus on my game and see where it goes.

Q. You mentioned school earlier. Do you have any assignments with you or is school out for you this week?

KRIS KIM: I've actually got to like exams to pass English high school three days after I get back, so try to forget about them for the time being and then focus on them on the flight back.

Q. You talked a little bit about the nerves that might come this week. Do you have any tips or anything you lean on to stay mentally strong in the tough or stressful times?

KRIS KIM: I think to take shot by shot at a time; don't get ahead of yourself.

You know, there are so many holes out there that can be scored well or can be scored bad. Yeah, I think shot by shot at a time and forget about scoring to be honest.

Q. You mentioned Miles Russell and playing against him in a tournament earlier, 2023 Junior Ryder Cup. Is that the biggest stage you played on or has there been other events you've played that you felt like it's a little more elevated?

KRIS KIM: Probably the biggest to be honest, field-wise and then like having fans there as well. The course setup being pretty similar to here I would say.

So, yeah, I mean, that was really good for me because that was probably the first time I ever played in front of a crowd. Yeah, got a taste for it for the first time.

Q. How do you feel like you managed that situation being the first time?

KRIS KIM: I think it's good to have a caddie because I really leant on him that week, and I probably will this week as well.

I think I'm pretty good under the crowds.

Q. What do you love about golf, would you say?

KRIS KIM: (Smiling.) Everything to be honest. Whether you hit a good shot or a bad shot, there is always another shot to play. Always trying to hit a good shot right after keeps me in it.

Q. What is the first major that you remember as far back - obviously not 2008 with Tiger Woods - but Rory's last major, what's the earliest memories you have of watching golf?

KRIS KIM: What stands out is when Rory won the PGA in the dark. Yeah, that's probably the main one.

Q. Do you play any other sports? Have you been involved in any other activities apart from golf?

KRIS KIM: Not really to be honest. Being from England people expect me to support a football team or something like that, but that's too much for me.