Korea's Kim is set to compete for the green jacket at Augusta National 08:53, 07/04/2021

With a limited number of fans or patrons as they are better known at Augusta National Golf Club, allowed on-site to watch the year’s first major, Kim hopes to savor in the atmosphere and launch a title challenge for the Green Jacket awarded to the champion.

 “When I was young, I watched the Masters a lot on TV. I saw players hit great shots on a great course, and I know all the famous holes. When I came here at first, I thought the course condition was way better than I imagined. It was almost flawless, it was very impressive. I felt like I am in a dream,” he recalled the first time he stepped into Augusta National in 2017.

His debut though proved to be short-lived as rounds of 75 and 81 saw him make an early exit. However, the rising star proved to be a quick learner as he soon mastered the intricacies and nuances of Augusta National, and in subsequent visits, he has finished T24, T21 and T34, results which have only reinforced his belief that he can compete for the Masters title. 

“I think it's very meaningful to participate in the Masters. The first time I played, I was so nervous that I didn't play as how I wanted to, but after that, I had a little more experience and I think I could play well and this course fits me. Somehow, I have played better here than in the other majors,” said Kim, who currently ranks 23^rdon the FedExCup points list.

Still only 25, Kim is already a three-time PGA TOUR winner, ranked only behind eight-time winner K.J. Choi as the Korean golfer with most wins on TOUR. He earned his breakthrough at the 2016 Wyndham Championship and nine months later became the youngest winner of THE PLAYERS Championship, the TOUR’s flagship tournament. He ended a three-year winless drought in January, claiming an impressive win at The American Express.

As THE PLAYERS Championship boasts the strongest field of any golf tournament, Kim has shown he has the bit in between his teeth to withstand the pressures of challenging for a first major victory.  

Kim hopes to get into the Masters mix comes Sunday afternoon to have chances to compete with other talented golfers.