DistantNews
Support us
Kim Joo-hyung's Emotional Comeback: Wins Scottish Open After 33-Month Slump
🇰🇷 South Korea /Sports

Kim Joo-hyung's Emotional Comeback: Wins Scottish Open After 33-Month Slump

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Kim Joo-hyung won the Genesis Scottish Open, marking his return to the PGA Tour winner's circle after a 33-month slump.
  • He shot a final-round 6-under-par 64 to finish at 17-under, securing a two-stroke victory over Lee Min-woo.
  • Kim expressed deep gratitude for his family and supporters who helped him through a difficult period.

Kim Joo-hyung has made a triumphant return to the PGA Tour's winner's circle, clinching the Genesis Scottish Open title after a challenging 33-month period without a victory. The win marks a significant comeback for the golfer, who had experienced a severe slump in performance.

I had forgotten how heavy the trophy was. It's really special.

— Kim Joo-hyungDescribing his feelings upon winning after a long drought.

Kim delivered a stellar final round, carding a 6-under-par 64 with six birdies and no bogeys at The Renaissance Club. This performance brought his total score to 17-under-par 263, giving him a two-stroke lead over runner-up Lee Min-woo of Australia. The victory earns Kim Joo-hyung a prize of $1.575 million (approximately 2.4 billion Korean won).

I trusted the experience I've built over the past few years and all the efforts I've made to get back to where I am now.

— Kim Joo-hyungCrediting his preparation and past experiences for his victory.

Reflecting on his emotional win, Kim spoke of the immense relief and gratitude he felt. "I had forgotten how heavy the trophy was," he said, his voice thick with emotion during the post-win press conference. He attributed his success to trusting his practice and the support of his family and loved ones who endured the difficult times with him. "I thought of my family and the people who stayed by my side and endured the hard times with me. Tears came to my eyes thinking of them," Kim shared.

I probably would have cried for several hours in my room if there wasn't this interview schedule.

— Kim Joo-hyungExpressing the depth of his emotional release after the win.

This victory, his fourth on the PGA Tour, comes after a period of significant struggle. After bursting onto the scene in 2022 with two wins, and adding another in 2023, Kim faced a steep decline in 2024. He missed cuts nine times in 26 tournaments and only recorded one top-10 finish. However, he began showing signs of recovery in May, culminating in this hard-fought win. Kim now aims to carry this momentum into his next tournament, the Open Championship.

There were very difficult times for a long time, and there were times when the game suddenly didn't go well. It was really hard then.

— Kim Joo-hyungRecalling the struggles he faced during his slump.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog