MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 12, 2025

Tom Kim

Quick Quotes

Q. How did the course play differently today versus yesterday?

TOM KIM: I think obviously coming from my wave, the wind was definitely a lot easier to play in. That's the amazing part about this place is that even the winds being so down, the gust changes so much it affects it even more because of how it's blowing.

When the wind switches the other way it varies from -- like for instance I had 170 hole on 14; 163 cover. My 8-iron is 168; 66 is a perfect number for me.

It pitched 160 and went all the way back down to basically the grass but water. But that's the amazing part. I got a full -- supposed to be down off the left and went completely into off the left.

When the winds are so subtle but the changes all the time can affect a lot of guys. You know, just got to be really patient out here. It's going to happen. For 72heals it's going to happen a lot.

So kind of just see how like 12 would play later in the day.

Q. Played with Michael today, a marker. Quite an unusual experience. Did you learn anything?

TOM KIM: Not really. We just had a really good time. I was so shocked when I got to the first tee. There were so many people on the first tee. Like it almost felt like I was in the final group on Sunday. So many people. I felt more nervous today than I did yesterday. Even on Thursday.

No, it was really cool. Michael was so fun to play with. Never really played with a marker before. It's the first time to experience it. He was so great. You know, for him to come out and play with a guy who is going to play solo, made it a lot more fun.

We had a good time out there.

Q. How did he play?

TOM KIM: He played great actually. Hits the ball really far. His irons, sometimes he grabbed one club longer than me. He was a complete baller.

Q. Not something we talked about in the past, but you're the first group out. Is there any pressure there? A lot quicker today in two balls.

TOM KIM: Not really. Went around my business. You're going to have a lot of back offs over here. You know, just didn't really focus on that at all.

I just had fresh greens, a little softer wind, and nice weather. So just --

Q. Dream golf really.

TOM KIM: Really.

Q. What about the shot on 18? Special memory for you.

TOM KIM: Yeah, nice way to end the day. Really, really good chip. I'm glad I didn't have to grind for a par.

Q. What are your thoughts on No. 5?

TOM KIM: No. 5, it's the long par-4, right? Yeah, it's a tough hole. You know, Augusta just designed a golf hole that's penalizing off the tee and penalizing for the second shot and penalizing around the greens.

Just you have to hit a perfect shot off the tee, another perfect shot on the green, and have to hit really good putts to make par.

It's obviously a popular hole, really popular score. When you make 4 there you really feel like you made a birdie on a par-5.

Q. Ever been in the bunkers on the left, fairway bunkers?

TOM KIM: I haven't gone there recently luckily. Again, that bunker, it all depends where the pin is how easy that bunker shot is.

Q. Does it feel different being out there with nobody in front of you?

TOM KIM: I'm not gonna lie to you, it took six hours to play yesterday. We waited on every hole. It was so nice to just go out there and play. The rhythm was really good.

Like yesterday could not get longer, if that makes any sense.

Q. Dream scenario today.

TOM KIM: Literally so phenomenal. Playing Augusta National, crowds were so nice. First group out and I'm sure they were clapping for Michael, not me, but for them applauding, it was great.

Q. What was it like playing with a marker? How did he do?

TOM KIM: He played great. I mentioned earlier, he's really, really good player. Definitely helped just kind of the rhythm of golf, just going out and playing alone and having no momentum or not feeding off anyone. It was nice to be able to have a conversation down the fairway.

I enjoyed it personally very much.

Q. Any idea what he would've scored?

TOM KIM: Yeah, he picked up a lot, but I think if he really concentrated and wasn't really focusing on trying to get out of my way, because he was being so nice and trying to get me focus on what I was doing, I still think he would've shot in the 70s especially it was really impressive.

Really, really good golfer.

Q. Did you take honors every hole no matter what he did?

TOM KIM: Yeah, you know, if you had a chance -- I think if I putt out first he would just pick up. You know, I kind of told him, we would just -- let's go in the rhythm. If you make a birdie or par ahead of me, you can tee off first and let's go in the same rhythm.