Tom Kim fended off a strong challenge from Adam Hadwin to successfully retain his Shriners Children’s Open title with a one-shot victory at TPC Summerlin.
The 21-year-old South Korean hit a five-under 66, including a 12-foot birdie putt at the 15th, to end the tournament on 20 under, narrowly beating Canadian Hadwin to earn a second straight Shriners Children’s Open victory and win his third PGA TOUR title.
With this victory, Kim has become the youngest player since Tiger Woods to win three PGA TOUR titles. His is also the first player since Jim Furyk in 1998 and 1999 to win consecutive titles at this tournament.
Kim has now also climbed up to 11th in the Official World Golf Rankings.
“I really felt confident in myself,” Kim said. “I knew that if I did me I was going to be able to do it. I’m stoked to get this one.”
“I’m 21, I’m not the oldest guy out here, and the kids here are even younger than me. I feel like I’m kind of close in age with them, and if there’s anything I can do just to inspire one kid out there, it would mean the world.”
In last years edition of the tournament, Kim defeated Patrick Cantlay and Matthew NeSmith by three strokes.
American’s J.T. Poston and Eric Cole, Canadian Taylor Pendrith, and Swede Alexander Noren all tied for third on 18 under.
The next event on the PGA TOUR is the ZOZO Championship taking place between 19-22 October at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Japan.