KPMG WOMEN'S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

June 22, 2025

Auston Kim

Fields Ranch East

Quick Quotes

Q. Auston Kim joins us now at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. How are you feeling about things overall?

AUSTON KIM: Feeling pretty good. Obviously the result was really good, but I'm really happy how I handled myself, my emotions, all the adversity. The course is playing really, really tough, but I feel like this week me and my team were -- my team and I were very locked in and we focused on all the right things.

The result took care of itself.

Q. Coming down the stretch like that with a chance at a major title, had you ever felt that kind of pressure before?

AUSTON KIM: There is obviously a lot on the line today, but I was chasing. I think that definitely helps. Took a lot of pressure off in the moment.

The only time that I really felt nervous was when I was hitting my approach on to 18. I really wanted to hit a good shot and give myself a chance.

Overall today I felt like I handled things really, really well. Stuck to my plan. Stuck to my high percentage play. Stuck to my targets, and it all worked out.

Q. You've talked about belonging quite a bit. You got to think you belong now I would think.

AUSTON KIM: Yeah, the brain is funny. But, yeah, I think it's really cool to have played well on such a hard course like this. Last year I just really struggled with adjusting and getting my feet wet and learning the ropes.

There are still moments I feel country comfortable. Still learning. There is a first time for everything. So again I'm just proud of how I handled this week. Of course more tools in the toolbox, more experience, more notches in the belt.

I know this week made me a lot better.

Q. Impressive bogey-free round.

AUSTON KIM: Thank you.

Q. I know it may not register with a lot of people, but bogey-free, it's got to mean something to you around here in the fourth round and everything.

AUSTON KIM: Yeah, I've done a lot of talking with my sports psych the past couple weeks just because coming off Chevron, like I had the worst way to -- the worst finish that week after putting myself into contention.

I also didn't have a good weekend at the U.S. Open after playing really well Thursday and Friday. Couple of events, couple regular events as well didn't have good weekends or one disappointing round.

I'm pretty disappointed with yesterday, too, but I know that I played really well today. I didn't realize that I was bogey-free until I made the last putt on the last hole so that was pretty cool.

But, again, for a course that was playing this difficult this week and especially yesterday and today, to have been able to play at even par for the weekend, that's really cool.

I'm very proud of what I did.

Q. Your putt on 16 looked good all the way.

AUSTON KIM: Yeah.

Q. Wondering if you knew kind of where you stood in the tournament. That might be where it could have turned.

AUSTON KIM: I knew I was chasing today so kept an eye on the leaderboards all day. Yeah, looked really good up until the last roll.

I just -- like I thought I had it for sure. To be able to finish at 2-under, I knew that would give me a chance because the back nine there were some funky holes. If you hit it into the rough you're trying to chop out and save par.

It was the best putt I possibly could have hit in the moment; it just didn't go in. I can't get upset about that. It is what it is.

Q. What would you say about Minjee and her game this week?

AUSTON KIM: Minjee is very steady. I've played with her before once, but she drives the ball really well. All around she's very steady. Every since she switched to the broomstick I feel like everybody on Tour has been like, can I give it a whirl, can I try.

But really solid player and tons of experience. For her to have won a major before, that's very key in these moments coming down the stretch.

Q. To Sarah's question about how you're prepared from last year to there year, which of the tools in your tool box that have been added was the most key to your success? I'm thinking it might be your talking to your psychologist. Assuming. What's the answer to that question?

AUSTON KIM: Yeah, I think -- so, again, I watch a lot of men's golf. I can't remember how long ago it was. Viktor answered a very good whether golf is more mental or physical. I think like he said it's a very distinct balance. If you don't have the physical skills, no matter how good you were mentally it won't makeup for the lack of physical skills.

But last year when I felt like I struggled quite a lot, a lot of it was a bit of mental immaturity, not understanding how things worked, not being able to regulate my emotions, not being able to think clearly on the golf course because I was so nervous.

A lot of things were going on. New environment. Just trying to get acclimated. It's very tough. Rookie year is always very tough. I think everybody who has gone through it would agree.

But I feel like this year I've grown a lot, and mentally already I feel like I've added a bunch of tools to help myself regulate on the course whether I'm nervous or getting angry at a shot that I hit.

Like it's so important to be able to regulate yourself and get back it baseline and have that clear head for your next shot to try and make it better so that mistakes don't compound.

But that was very long winded way to answer your question. I think a lot of the tools that have been added to my toolbox are mental. Being able to handle myself. Being able to handle the circumstances, think clearly, basically just try to control -- control what I can control in the mental.

Q. I know she was pouring over the coverage, but have you talked to August yet? If you have, what did she say?

AUSTON KIM: I think I missed a FaceTime call from her so I feel bad. She's been texting me a lot the past couple days. I was definitely upset after yesterday's round so I kind of ranted to her a little bit.

I was really frustrated with how things went yesterday because I was hitting it everywhere. I was telling -- not like she really cares or understands in the moment, but I was just telling her what I fixed technically. She listens so well.

For her to give all the support and advice that I need in the moment, she's amazing and I love her.