Tom Kim Finishes T2 @ British Open After Nearly Withdrawing Due to A Sprained Ankle
Tom Kim Finishes T2 @ British Open After Nearly Withdrawing Due to A Sprained Ankle.
Tom Kim is the youngest player to finish in the top two at the British Open since 1976.
It’s a good thing Tom Kim didn’t give up on Friday.
Kim surged on Sunday at the British Open after nearly quitting due to a slip at his rented property that left him with a severely damaged ankle.
The 21-year-old shot a 4-under 67 to move up nine spots on the leaderboard and into a tie for second place at the year’s last major title.
That was his greatest major finish of his career, and he became the youngest player to finish in the top two at the British Open since 1976.
“Obviously, coming down the stretch of a major when you’re playing well, the adrenaline hits and makes sure you’re kind of in it,” Kim explained.
“It was nice to almost forget about [my ankle] for a little while, because you don’t really think about it when you’re in the moment.” “I think today was probably the best of the three days, so I’m relieved.”
On Thursday night, Kim walked off the patio of his rental home in Hoylake, England, and his right foot landed on a patch of wet grass. Kim’s foot became entangled, and he heard his ankle pop as he rolled to the ground.
He claimed he had a Grade 1 sprain, which is considered a minor sprain. While he was told it was “definitely playable,” and he admits he received some “tough love” from his teammates to keep him in the game, Kim said he almost called it and headed home to consult a doctor.
Kim shot a 3-under 68 despite needing a piggyback ride from his agent after his round on Friday. He was now inside the cutline.
“It’s a little bruised. “I really can’t take off my shoe,” Kim admitted on Friday. “I don’t know how I really walked.”
Kim also matched his second-round score on Saturday. After opening with back-to-back bogeys on Sunday, Kim reeled off a birdie and a massive eagle at the par-5 fifth to get under par for the day.
He subsequently shot a 4-under 67 to tie for second place with Sepp Straka, Jason Day, and Jon Rahm.
“[I’m] a little bit [surprised] because of how my foot was feeling,” Kim stated on Sunday. “I was considering pulling out my second and third rounds.” But now I’m glad I didn’t. “I stuck with it.”
Kim has two PGA Tour victories to his credit. He gained his first Tour victory at the Wyndham Championship late last season, earning him his card, and then he won the Shriners Children’s Open earlier this season.
Kim began this week ranked No. 24 in the Official World Golf Rankings, and he now has seven top-10 performances this season, including a T8 in the US Open and a T6 at the Genesis Scottish Open last week.
Kim’s effort on Sunday propelled him to 14th place in the FedExCup standings. He’s not entered in next week’s 3M Open, but he’s expected to defend his title at the Wyndham Championship in two weeks.
“Obviously, after last year’s season, your expectations rise, and you kind of feel like you’re supposed to play like that all the time,” Kim explained. “Seeing golf courses I’ve never been to and facing a steep learning curve has been a little frustrating.”
But it’s been a period in which I’ve tried to keep things in perspective and remind myself that this is simply a learning curve, and this is my first full year out. These guys have been out here for at least five to ten years.
“I really need to put it in perspective and keep working hard to play better.” I put in a lot of effort this year to reclaim that feeling of competing in large events, and it’s good to see the rewards of my labor.”
