THE CJ CUP BYRON NELSON

April 29, 2025

Kris Kim

TPC Craig Ranch

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We are now joined in the media center by Kris Kim here at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, making his second appearance.

Just to start, how great is it to be back here?

KRIS KIM: It's unreal. I love this place, and I think last year with making the cut and everything, it just gives me a bit more confidence to do a bit better last year.

THE MODERATOR: You said last year you made the cut as a 16-year-old, the youngest to do so in this tournament's history. What memories do you have from that week?

KRIS KIM: I just remember loving golf a little bit more. Yeah, it was just one of the best experiences of my life. I hope to do a bit better this year.

THE MODERATOR: In what ways are you a better golfer than you were a year ago?

KRIS KIM: I feel like mentally I'm a bit stronger compared to last year, and a bit stronger physically. I feel like I've grown a little bit more and just hitting it a bit longer in general.

Q. Kris, who are a few of the guys that you look up to out here and have watched growing up over the years?

KRIS KIM: Definitely say Tiger. And then Rory, obviously his Masters win a couple weeks ago. Yeah, probably Scottie Scheffler as well. He's playing this week.

Q. Have you seen enough of the course this week to know how differently it might be playing with the overseed?

KRIS KIM: Yeah, it's so different. The greens are a lot quicker. I feel like a lot better as well. The rough's a lot thicker as well.

Yeah, it's definitely playing a bit tougher than last year with the wind and the weather expected as well. Should be a lot tougher than last year.

Q. You mentioned Scottie Scheffler as one of your favorite players. Unfortunately, he wasn't here last year due to his growing family, but saw on 4 tee that he was also there. Have you gotten a chance to meet the World Number 1?

KRIS KIM: No, I haven't had a chance to say hello just yet. I figured I'd leave him alone during his practice round. Yeah, he's a huge idol of mine, and it was just nice to see.

Q. Kris, since you were here last year, a year's gone by, can you just explain what you've played, where you've played, how much you've played? Along with the schoolwork, I guess.

KRIS KIM: Played a lot over the summer, and then obviously had the exams. But definitely got back into it a bit more after September. Yeah, obviously a busy season ahead with the summer out here and Europe. So it should be good.

Q. Was there any specific event that you enjoyed the most in the last year?

KRIS KIM: Probably starting this year, I've played a lot better in Spain and Portugal and France. So I'd probably say the Europe swing so far has been good.

Q. Kind of a broad question, but what does it mean to you to be part of the CJ team and the success that South Korean golfers have had in this tournament?

KRIS KIM: Yeah, it feels great. Obviously my parents being fully Korean, it's great to have a bit of culture from where I am back home.

It's tough being from England. It's so far away, you know, but it definitely feels nice.

Q. (In Korean)?

KRIS KIM: I feel like I've grown a lot more. I think I'm about 4 inches taller now and hitting the ball a lot farther. I feel like the course itself, it's just a lot tougher with the rough and the greens just being quicker really. Yeah, it should be interesting.

Q. (In Korean)?

KRIS KIM: I don't have too many targets so far. I think I'm probably just going to try to play good golf and see where that ends up. I don't like setting too many high targets before the week. So probably just try to play good golf.

Q. (In Korean)?

KRIS KIM: I think last year I want to say I was around 5'10", I want to say. I think I'm maybe 6-foot now.

I feel like my mental game has gotten a lot stronger. I'm not as angry as I used to be. So, yeah, it's good.

Q. Kris, just with the growth in height, how does that change anything at all, club length or swing? Can you just elaborate on that a little bit?

KRIS KIM: I feel like my fitter does a great job. He handles it. Every six months or so we have a check-in.

Definitely like just swing speed, I feel like, increases, and then the loft and lie angles you have to change because your hands are a lot higher than where they used to be.

It's great. I have a great team, and it makes it easier for me.

Q. I see on your sleeve bibigo. This is often said by players one of their favorite player dinings of the year. Do you have any favorite dishes that you would recommend to players in player dining?

KRIS KIM: We just had dumplings just now, and they were pretty good. So if anyone's going after, I would try them out.