There’s no better feeling than making it to the majors as a young golfer, but imagine if the major comes to you? Well, that is exactly what happened to this PGA Tour pro, who’s been climbing the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) leaderboard like a golfer on a mission. Michael Kim has earned his spot in the US Open field through automatic qualification, a first for him that’s been a long time coming. He’s now 55th in the rankings with a whopping $9.9 million to show for his career earnings, and let’s just say he’s got the momentum of a golf ball rolling down a hill.
Kim’s stoked about the US Open, and who wouldn’t be? “First time I won’t partake in the 36-hole sectional qualifying. My best finish at a major is at the 2013 U.S. Open as an amateur, funny enough. Let’s improve on that!” he said on X. Kim’s best finish remains his T17th place as an amateur back in 2013, and he’s itching to better that performance at Oakmont Country Club. Maybe his amateur experience will give him an edge – after all, sometimes not knowing what you’re up against can be a blessing in disguise.
The golfers had a solid year, with three top-10 finishes and a runner-up spot at the WM Phoenix Open. He also finished fourth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, because why not? Although he hasn’t secured a win in 2025, Kim’s made 12 of 15 cuts, showcasing his consistency and skill. Now, he’s looking to carry that momentum into the US Open and make some noise.
First time I won’t partake in the 36 hole sectional qualifying.
My best finish at a major is at the 2013 US open as an amateur funny enough. Let’s improve on that! pic.twitter.com/K4GI4CNk6K
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) May 19, 2025
Will he ace it? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – he’ll give it his best shot like he did at the last major.
Michael Kim’s chances look good at the 2025 U.S. Open after his solid run at the second major
Michael Kim was riding a wave of positivity after the PGA Championship’s first two rounds. On Twitter, he gushed about being tied with golf royalty like Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele, saying, “If someone had told me I was tied with Rory and Xander after two days, I would have signed up in a heartbeat haha.” It’s no surprise Kim was thrilled – who wouldn’t want to rub shoulders with the best? He was pleased with making another major cut and highlighted two “nerve-racking putts” that got him off to a flying start. The leaderboard was tighter than a drum, setting the stage for a nail-biting weekend.
Despite some lingering back issues that threw off his tee shots, Kim remained optimistic about his chances. He finished T55 with a score of 5 over par, remarkably just eight spots behind Rory McIlroy. Kim also had a few choice words for LIV fanboys who doubted his experience and even tossed in a lighthearted jab at ‘Michael Block’. With his solid performance, Kim’s confidence got a much-needed boost heading into the 2025 U.S. Open. One can only imagine the strategies he’ll employ to conquer Oakmont’s challenging course.
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