Michael Kim, one of golf’s rising under-the-radar stars, faced a dramatic climax at the Valero Texas Open. The Seoul-born golfer, whose journey mirrors that of Max Homa, has garnered a cult following on the PGA Tour through his engaging social media presence and notable upswing in performance. On the crucial Sunday, Kim was on the brink of seizing his second PGA Tour victory but found himself in a nail-biting situation when his approach on the final hole veered long into the bunker just past the green.
Kim needed a miraculous bunker shot to catch up with J.J. Spaun's clubhouse lead and push the match into a playoff. Though he came tantalizingly close, the shot didn’t seal the deal. His effort was captured and shared widely, demonstrating the tension and unpredictability that makes golf endlessly fascinating to fans.
Though he didn't snag the win, Kim's journey at the Texas Open wasn't without its perks. He left the event with nearly $750,000 in winnings and a place on a flight to Augusta. While en route, Kim took to his popular Golf X account for one of his famed Q&As. When asked about his thoughts as his shot on the 18th went awry, Kim responded with a characteristically candid, albeit NSFW, expression: "God f***ing damn it."
“God f***ing damn it” – Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714), April 6, 2026
In the same Q&A, Kim humorously explained the tricky wind conditions on the 18th, compounded by the grandstands. He noted that after witnessing Tommy Fleetwood's pitching wedge shot, he expected a similar outcome – only for his own shot to overshoot the green. Such are the unpredictable whims of golf.
Despite the setback, Kim continues to ride a wave of success. He’s climbed to 56th in the global rankings and comfortably sits within the top-50 of the FedEx Cup standings. Next up is the prestigious Masters, where Kim will tee off, likely with more tales and a few more colorful expressions to share. For a golfer on the rise, minor hiccups like these are par for the course, and the substantial rewards make them easier to swallow.