MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 9, 2025

Tom Kim

Quick Quotes

Q. How would you describe your preparation for the Masters this week?

TOM KIM: It's been good. It's been long. Kind of excited that Thursday's here. It's always special, I think, every time I come to Augusta National. It really feels like it's my first time again.

I think I've had a few years of experience now where I can kind of go out and just kind of compete. I'm ready to go.

Q. What are your emotions like tonight on the eve of the Masters when you know you wake up in the morning you're on the 1st tee at some point?

TOM KIM: It's actually not that bad. I don't really -- I think the first year was definitely a lot more, man, what's it going to be like? Now that I've had a few years, I think I'm going to sleep okay.

Q. I want to ask you about Scottie. A lot of players not only admire his ball striking, but his attitude on the golf course. What have you seen from an attitude or a perspective that he has in life that benefits him on the course?

TOM KIM: He's very well grounded. I think his competitiveness is unlike any other, and I think it shows when he plays golf. Definitely, when he's trying to take my money or win a major championship, the competitive look in his eyes really looks the same.

I think the way he handles himself off the golf course, I think he's done such a tremendous job of handling his success. It hasn't gotten to him. He's still the same guy when I first met him, and he still loves to compete and enjoys the process of get can better.

I think that's why he's been able to be so consistent for so long. We haven't seen this good of golf since Tiger Woods, and there's a reason to it. I definitely know the work he does behind the scenes is why. It's definitely helped the game of golf.

I think now, all of us players know the caliber we need to be at to win these golf tournaments. So kudos to him. I'm really happy for him, really happy for his success, and I'm sure he's going to continue to do so.

Q. How has your friendship with Scottie made you a better player?

TOM KIM: It's definitely lifting my expectations higher. I wouldn't say just because I'm friends with him doesn't mean it's helped my success. I would just say it's just helped the caliber that you kind of have to hold yourself onto. That's the big difference I've seen in myself.

I feel like I've expected a lot more from myself, and the days that you don't really want to go out and practice, I feel like the things that he's done definitely makes you get to work.