FEDEX ST. JUDE CHAMPIONSHIP

August 13, 2026

Michael Kim

TPC Southwind

Quick Quotes

Q. Michael, obviously a great round to start your tournament. With where you are in the FedExCup standings, how important was it to get off to a good start today?

MICHAEL KIM: I feel like I was in a similar situation last year, where I was trying to get into East Lake at the BMW. Yeah, I've been getting off -- I felt like my game has been in a pretty good spot for a while.

Yeah, I knew I wanted to try and stay ahead of the projections. So really nice to get off to a good start.

Q. Leading the field after one day in strokes gained and putting. What was the biggest difference in that area for you?

MICHAEL KIM: Yeah, just starting on hole 2, I made a nice birdie putt from 12, 14 feet or so. When you kind of see one go in early, I think it helps a lot. Putter, and especially my reads, felt really good all day.

Q. Obviously not the finish in Memphis you wanted last season. What was the biggest difference in looking back last year?

MICHAEL KIM: Last year I felt like I played okay. I just had the par-3 14, 15. I think I played that hole maybe like 6-, 7-over par for the tournament. So I felt like if I did better there, then it would have been a decent week.

I feel comfortable at this golf course. Hopefully I can keep it going for the next three days.

Q. You kind of mentioned you're comfortable here. Overall, how does this course fit your game?

MICHAEL KIM: Comfortable with the golf course, not with the heat. Yeah, just kind of have to -- you don't have to bomb it. You just have to kind of pick your spots here and there and try to give yourself as many birdie looks because the greens aren't too crazy out here. Just giving myself as many looks as I can, and I rolled a bunch of them in today.