Masters Miss Sparks Si Woo's Surge at Harbour Town
South Korean star turns Augusta heartache into Harbour Town heroics
Seoul, Korea - For the first time since 2017, Si Woo Kim sat frustrated on his couch during Masters week, denied the familiar comforts of Augusta National. Yet, from that very frustration, the 29-year-old South Korean appears to have ignited something special—transforming Augusta absence into a potent performance at this week's RBC Heritage.
Kim surged spectacularly into contention at Harbour Town Golf Links on Friday, carding a brilliant seven-under 64 to sit just two shots behind halfway leader Justin Thomas. His bogey blemish was overshadowed by a majestic eagle, created by a precise 276-yard approach to within five feet on the par-5 fifth.
“I got so frustrated watching the Masters," admitted Kim candidly. "But I had to move on and focus on this week.”
That focus has been exceptional, given Kim's earlier struggles this season. Without a single top-10 finish in 11 previous starts, and plagued by putting woes, the four-time PGA TOUR winner arrived in South Carolina determined to change his fortunes. Ranked 140th in Strokes Gained: Putting, Kim's experimenting between a short putter and broom-handle model seems finally to have clicked, ranking second on the greens through two rounds.
Despite his hot scoring, Kim confessed Harbour Town’s famously tight fairways initially troubled him. "Driver felt scary on the tee, and I worried too much," he said. "But I started playing more conservatively, and now I feel comfortable."
His love affair with this iconic layout dates back to 2018, when he narrowly missed out in a playoff against Japan’s Satoshi Kodaira. With unfinished business clearly on his mind, Kim senses a unique opportunity.
“I've played well here before," he smiled. "It suits my style—distance isn't crucial here. Even short hitters can compete, and that's why I enjoy it.”
Fuelled by the frustration of missing Augusta, Kim's determination could make this weekend at Harbour Town very special indeed.