Michael Kim’s recent success on the PGA Tour has been accompanied by his efforts to connect with fans. After a runner-up finish at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Kim met two fans who thanked him for providing them with free tickets through a giveaway on his social media account. “It takes five, ten minutes for me to sort out,” Kim said. “But for them, it might be a memory they carry forever.”
Kim’s performance in 2025 marks an impressive return to form after years of struggle. His journey began at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was part of the Golden Bears men’s golf team. The team achieved significant success during Kim’s time there, including winning 12 tournaments in one season and becoming the top-ranked team in the nation.
Reflecting on his college days, Kim credited head coach Steve Desimone for instilling discipline and allowing players autonomy in their practice routines. “He absolutely hated it if we were late,” Kim recalled with a laugh.
Desimone praised Kim’s personality and determination: “He fell into our laps… he couldn’t hit the ball out of his own shadow. But he had a great personality… It didn’t take long for Michael to take our program by storm.”
After turning professional in 2013, Kim faced challenges on the course but regained control with help from swing coach Sean Foley. In 2025, he has achieved five consecutive top-15 finishes and returned to major tournaments like the Masters.
Kim has also increased his presence on social media, sharing insights about his game and personal reflections. He attributes some inspiration for this approach to Max Homa, his former teammate at Cal.
“Now every tournament I go to, people come up to say thank you for the tickets,” Kim said about his fan engagement efforts. “And they start following my game. That’s powerful.”
