OPEN DE FRANCE

September 21, 2025

Michael Kim

Le Golf National

Press Conference

MATTHEW JOULE: Delighted to be joined by this year's FedEx Open de France champion, Michael Kim.

You have added your name to a list of historic winners at this event, what does it mean to come out on top this week?

MICHAEL KIM: It's fantastic. I always wanted to be a player that plays on the international stage, not just on the PGA TOUR, and I feel like this is a fantastic start to that career.

MATTHEW JOULE: And just talk about 18 out there. You got up-and-down from the bunker for par to win this golf tournament. Talk us through it from your point of view.

MICHAEL KIM: Yeah, I kind of bailed out with my 6-iron just trying not to go into the water there. Just pulled it a little bit, and the wind took it into the bunker. Had a nice lie.

I've had similar putts I've ran on Friday and Saturday. I ran them by five, six feet. So I knew it was getting fast. I wanted to make sure I don't blow it by and I felt like I hit a pretty good bunker shot, and just didn't run out nearly as much as I thought.

But that putt, Elvis gave me a decent look from the side. I knew it was going to go a little right at the end, and you know, just tried to hit a really nice putt. And somehow, it went in. Caught the right lip, I think. Went in and just completely blacked out, I think.

Q. What were your thoughts teeing off on the 16th? You pretty much knew that you needed something to happen to be able to raise that trophy. What were your thoughts on the 16th tee?

MICHAEL KIM: Yeah, you know, it felt like 16-under par or 16-under par was going to be the winning score. I just really wanted to hit a good tee shot. I've been struggling with the driver a little bit this week. Was able to hit a really nice one there. As I was walking down, I saw Brooks in the group behind walking up, and he had hit it long.

So you know, I felt confident that he wasn't going to make birdie from there, which felt like a little bit of an opening. Hit a nice 3-wood there and a really, really nice chip. And you know, had a nice little birdie putt.

Yeah, and just -- yeah, that was kind of mostly my thoughts.

Q. Can you tell us about your staff? Who is part of your staff, your coach?

MICHAEL KIM: Yeah, my swing coach is Sean Foley. My caddie is Danny Stout. Sean has been a massive influence for me over the last five or six years, or five or five years now. He really helped me kind of come from, really, the golf nightmare that I was kind of in. I was really struggling, and through his help, you know, able to get back to where I felt like I could get to and winning this amazing tournament.

Q. And why did you decide to come to play in France this week?

MICHAEL KIM: Yeah, I had a very nice season on the PGA TOUR. I can't improve my status too much on the fall, and like I said, I've always wanted to play international tournaments on the DP World Tour. Everyone talks about how great Wentworth is and how great this tournament is. I thought it was the perfect opportunity for me to come out here.

Yeah, I'm super grateful and happy that I did decide to come here.

Q. And you are going to play more tournaments this year in Europe?

MICHAEL KIM: I think this gets me into Abu Dhabi, at least, I think. To be honest I was looking at the points because I wanted at least the option to a play tournament. I've always wanted to go to Abu Dhabi, the Middle East. I've never been. Paris and London, I've been.

So I don't know if I'm a hundred percent playing that one but really glad that I at least have the opportunity to go if I do go.

Q. You had the home crowd's favourite playing just in front of you. Was it a parameter that you had to deal with, some cheers that came for Jeong weon Ko?

MICHAEL KIM: It was fine. I didn't notice it too much until he made eagle on 16, and that was a really loud cheer that I could here from either the tee box or the hole before. And I had an idea of where he was at. I knew he was playing well.

But I saw on 17, or 16 green, that he got it to 15-under. The crowd, obviously they are going to root for him. I didn't notice it too much until on 18, I hit in the bunker and a couple people cheered (laughter) because they were looking for a playoff but totally get it. Thought it was an interesting situation but it was pretty cool to be a part of.

Q. The Open de France is probably going to go back to Le Golf National next year.

MICHAEL KIM: Disappointing.

Q. Anyway, are you in a position today to tell us that you will or will not be the defending champion next year?

MICHAEL KIM: I can't commit to next year because I don't know how good of a year I'll have next year. But I'll make my best effort to come back. Because I really enjoyed Paris, not just because I played well this week, but just staying in Versailles this week. And I've been to Paris a couple times just as a vacation but I thoroughly enjoyed it way more this time around.

I'll be making every effort that I can to come back.

Q. Tell us your thoughts about The Open de France, how difficult is it compared to other tournaments?

MICHAEL KIM: You know, I know how difficult Le Golf National is. Everyone talks about it. This course wasn't as tough, I imagine. But kind of this week, had some rain, some wind. You know, we even had to play the ball up today.

So it was a really good challenge. I feel like I played as well as I did this week as any other week that I've played this year, and I've had some really, really nice weeks this year.

MATTHEW JOULE: Michael, congratulations.