Another runner-up finish for Si Woo Kim at the FedEx St. Jude Championship – the Korean secured sole second place with a -9, but the question remains: When will he finally clinch a victory? It's a position he's become painfully familiar with this season. The performance was strong, no doubt, but the chase for a title continues.
The Perennial Runner-Up?
Si Woo Kim finished with a score of -9, securing sole second place. A result that underscores his consistently good form, but also his frustrating tendency to narrowly miss out on victory. Five shots separated him from the lead at the end – a solid margin, yet it leaves room for speculation about what could have been. With a current OWGR of #18 and a DG-Rank of #10, Kim is undoubtedly a top player, whose Skill Estimate stands at an impressive 1.52. But these numbers don't make the P2 streak any less bitter for his fans.
Strengths Tee-to-Green: T2G Powerplay
Where did Si Woo Kim excel at the FedEx St. Jude Championship? Clearly, it was from tee to green. His Total Strokes Gained was +2.09 per round, a figure that significantly surpasses his 24-month baseline of +1.54. The Korean demonstrated his potential to dominate the field when everything clicks.
His Off The Tee (OTT) play was particularly outstanding. With +1.03 SG per round, he gained almost one and a half strokes compared to his baseline of +0.42. His Approach Shots (APP) were also powerful: +1.54 SG per round, compared to his usual +0.74. That's a statement! These two categories contributed to a Strokes Gained: Tee to Green (T2G) of +2.21, while his baseline here is +1.42. With these numbers, Kim was an absolute powerhouse. His drives were precise, his iron shots crisp, and found the greens.
Here's his detailed performance compared to his 24-month baseline:
| Category | Tournament SG (per round) | 24-Month Baseline |
|---|---|---|
| Total | +2.09 | +1.54 |
| OTT | +1.03 | +0.42 |
| APP | +1.54 | +0.74 |
| ARG | -0.36 | +0.26 |
| Putt | -0.13 | +0.12 |
| T2G | +2.21 | +1.42 |
Weaknesses: Around the Green and Putting
But where did Kim lose crucial shots that cost him the victory? The numbers are unforgiving: It was the short chips, pitches, and especially the putter. In the Around the Green (ARG) category, he lost an average of -0.36 strokes per round in the tournament. This is a tough setback, considering he typically gains +0.26 strokes over 24 months in this area. A clear weakness that urgently needs to be addressed in practice.
