Tom Kim still didn't have PGA Tour status two months ago. Now he's a two-time winner being mentioned in the same space as Tiger Woods and is the highest-ranked Asian player in the world.
Even for the 20-year-old Kim, life feels like it's moving at warp speed.
A win in North Carolina. The FedEx Cup playoffs. The Presidents Cup. A win in Las Vegas.
"It's been crazy," Kim said. "Definitely doesn't feel slow, that's for sure. I've just got to keep going, and I'm enjoying the ride. So hopefully, many more to come."
The South Korean's latest victory on Sunday at the Shriners Children's Open in Las Vegas was only shocking the way it ended, with Patrick Cantlay having one bad swing turn into one big mess.
They were tied for the lead starting the 18th hole when Cantlay hooked his 3-wood into a desert bush in a ravine, tried to hack it out into the fairway, took a penalty drop, went into the water and then made a 35-foot putt for triple bogey.
That paved the way for Kim to cap off a bogey-free week at the TPC Summerlin with a simple par for a five-under 67 and a three-shot victory at 24 under.
"Obviously, the last hole makes the whole week kind of sour," said Cantlay, who could have gone to No.2 in the world with a win.
Kim became the first player since Tiger Woods in 1996 to win twice on the PGA Tour before turning 21. The 20-year-old South Korean won the Wyndham Championship in August to earn a tour card and he's been soaring ever since.
He's set to rise to No.15 in the world, passing Hideki Matsuyama as Asia's top-ranked player.
"I'm having fun playing on the PGA Tour. It's awesome," Kim said.
Cantlay's triple bogey for a 69 gave him a share of second place with Matthew NeSmith (66).
Australia's former world No.1 Jason Day birdied eight of his last 10 holes to close with a 63 and tie for eighth at 18 under. Fellow Aussie Lucas Herbert tied 20th after a 68 while Cam Davis shot 71 to share 37th.
Kim became the first player since J.T. Poston at the 2019 Wyndham Championship to win a PGA Tour event without making bogey.
"I played solid this week - no bogey for 72 holes," Kim said. "I got very lucky on the 18th, I'm not going to lie. Patrick played awesome, and to come out with a win I feel fortunate."
Woods was 20 when he won in Las Vegas and then at Disney in just seven tournaments since turning pro.
Kim now is the second-youngest player to win two PGA Tour events before turning 21, a month behind Ralph Guldahl when he won the 1932 Arizona Open for his second win.
It's been quite the year for Kim, who honed his golf in Australia and the Philippines before turning pro. He started this year by winning the Singapore International and finishing runner-up in the Singapore Open on the Asian Tour.
After winning the Wyndham Championship, he made his debut in the Presidents Cup by going 2-3-0 for the International team against the US.
