Kris Kim makes PGA history at 16 years old

Kris Kim, a 16-year-old amateur golfer from Britain, competing in the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on a sponsor’s exemption, has become the youngest player since 2015 to make the cut at a PGA Tour event.

Kim concluded his second round this Friday with a birdie to card a 67, 4-under-par, finishing at 135, 7-under-par, which secured his spot among the 66 players who made the cut, set at 6-under-par.

Jake Knapp led the field with 14-under-par and a total of 128 strokes.

Kris Kim, results

To find a similar instance of such early success, we have to go back to Kyle Suppa, who was 16 years old when he made the cut at the Sony Open in Hawaii in 2015.

At 16 years and seven months, Kim surpassed Jordan Spieth as the youngest player to make the cut at the Nelson.

Spieth was two months shy of turning 17 when he made his PGA Tour debut at his hometown event in 2010, finishing tied for 16th place.

Kim, the son of former LPGA Tour player Ji-Hyun Suh, is making his PGA Tour debut and is the first amateur sponsored by the South Korean company CJ Group, which is also the primary sponsor of the Nelson for the first time.

The rules of golf are relatively complex compared to other sports because they are applied outdoors, in close proximity to nature and animals. Respect for the rules is a fundamental element in the game of golf, which relies heavily on self-control and the players’ conscience. Consequently, results are often distorted, sometimes consciously, but more often unconsciously or due to carelessness, as many players fail to adhere to the rules of the game.

In addition to the rules, golf adheres to a code of conduct known as etiquette, which typically involves playing the game with due respect for the golf course and other players. Etiquette is an indispensable component of this sport.

The earliest documented evidence of golf rules dates back to March 1744. These rules were created in anticipation of a competition to be held at a Scottish golf club and comprised a total of 13 points. Initially, each individual club was responsible for writing its own rules, resulting in variations depending on the location of play.

Since 1952, the R&A and the USGA have jointly published a rulebook, applicable to all golf courses under their jurisdiction, providing standardized regulations for the game.