RBC CANADIAN OPEN

June 2, 2024

Tom Kim

Hamilton Golf and Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Amazing start, obviously. What was kind of clicking for you on that front nine?

TOM KIM: I just, I made a few putts, obviously. I hit four fairways today, that was really tough. It's really hard when it's raining and you got wet rough, but I really grinded well today. Putter definitely bailed me out a lot. Just pretty happy, I mean just, scoring-wise, I felt I did a really good job of scoring today.

Q. Did you have a number in mind at the beginning of the day?

TOM KIM: Yeah, I just, I heard Rory say it, but I thought 7, if I could get to 14 today, it could really scare some of the leaders. Because I just felt, like Rory said, you know, you have to shoot under par to win, and this course, if you start missing fairways and you start putting yourself in the wrong spots it can really bite you quickly. So I thought that was a really good goal, especially -- I didn't expect the scores to be this low, because just of the conditions. It was kind of like, it wasn't pouring but it was like annoyingly raining consistently. I can only control so much, and I feel like my game's in a good spot.

Q. Were you aware at the beginning when Robert came back a little bit and started to get jumbled up again and you were, I think you were within maybe two of the lead. Were you aware when he made that string of bogeys or birdies in a row and suddenly the margin was big again and did that force you and Rory both to press?

TOM KIM: I felt like after -- I didn't really see -- I think I saw one -- I don't really like to look at leaderboards, but I took a quick peek on 9. I was 4-under at the turn and I saw I was like a few back. I just kind of had the same number in mind, if I can get to 14 I can kind of really pressure the leaders coming in. After I made that run, starting kind of birdieing 10, 12, making a huge par on 11, I thought I was really close. I felt like maybe I needed two more maybe to come in. Obviously a bogey on 14, but a good birdie on 18 to kind of just match the day up.

Q. What were your overall impressions of this golf course?

TOM KIM: I would say the conditions are very, very good. This bent grass, I love bent grass. The fairways are so pure. I think they did a really good job with the rough. We don't really get to see this much rough during the season, especially unless we go to Memorial and major championships. So I felt like the setup was really good. The greens were really tricky to read. Overall good shots get really rewarded, but at the same time, me missing fairways consistently today I could really see a different part of the golf course. I feel like maybe some of the bunkers, I know they redid it, this is my first time here, but some of the bunkers, I think if they just adjusted it, it would be unbelievable, but even with that it's still a really good golf course.

Q. Rory says he enjoys playing a round with Paul. What has he done for your game?

TOM KIM: He's definitely I think, this is my first top 10 of the year and during tough times I think perspective, he's just been, he's been through everything. So, like he's seen it and the perspective just helps me a lot. Just the little things I need to get better. I think it's a constant good relationship we have to just to kind of figure it out, and he's been a huge help. It's been tough sometimes, but at the same time it's been nothing but a blast.