THE 152ND OPEN

July 20, 2024

Si Woo Kim

Mixed Zone

Q. (Regarding hole-in-one on 17).

SI WOO KIM: My caddie told me you'd better hit hard with a 3-iron. So I did, and as soon as I contact good, so I see the ball over the fringe. That must be maybe inside 20 feet. I just take it off the ground and just back to the back, and people yelling at me like I didn't realize the ball goes in.

Q. So you couldn't see it?

SI WOO KIM: No, I couldn't see it.

Q. How did it feel when you saw it?

SI WOO KIM: It was amazing. I had plenty of holes-in-one in my life. Maybe over ten times, at tournaments like six to eight times, but I think this is the most memorable hole-in-one.

Q. What makes this one the most special?

SI WOO KIM: Because it's a major and The Open, and I was having a hard time on the front nine.

Q. First one in a major?

SI WOO KIM: Yes.

Q. Does it make it more special considering you were struggling on your round?

SI WOO KIM: Yes. I've been -- I was not doing very well, and then I was feeling terrible for my shot the last couple days. Then finally I got the best golf shot I've ever had this week.

That goes in, and that makes me more special, especially at the major and The Open here.

Q. Best shot you've ever played or that you've ever played this week?

SI WOO KIM: I think that's the best shot I've ever had this week (laughter).

Q. Do you prefer that hole to the Postage Stamp hole?

SI WOO KIM: I wasn't happy with that Thursday. I made double, and I made three-putt again yesterday. Finally I got the hole-in-one, so I think I like it now.

Q. What is it that you find so difficult about this course?

SI WOO KIM: I think the hurting cross-wind because the first like almost full front nine playing cross hurting wind. So it makes it a little hard to calibrate how to number.

Then as soon as you get to No. 10, everything is coming like the other way and then off the left. I play the whole time like playing off the right wind, and now back into and off the left, like helping wind. I think that why, like I don't know, feels completely off.

Q. On the 17, the hole-in-one, what was the wind behind you? What was the wind doing on that one?

SI WOO KIM: Usually helping off the left was just cross off the left today.