Michael Kim is an American professional golfer known for his precision, consistency, and remarkable comeback on the international golf circuit. Born in Seoul, South Korea, he moved to the United States as a child and developed his golfing skills in California before becoming a professional in 2013.
Kim became widely recognized after winning the 2018 John Deere Classic by eight strokes. He later added another international title by winning the 2025 FedEx Open de France. In 2026, he made headlines by shooting a sensational 59 at the 3M Open, recording one of the rare sub-60 rounds in PGA Tour history.
Michael Kim Biography Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michael Sangwon Kim |
| Date of Birth | July 14, 1993 |
| Age | 33 years old as of October 2026 |
| Birthplace | Seoul, South Korea |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Professional golfer |
| Height | Approximately 5 feet 11 inches |
| Weight | Approximately 165 pounds |
| College | University of California, Berkeley |
| Turned Professional | 2013 |
| Residence | Houston, Texas |
| Marital Status | No publicly confirmed marriage |
| PGA Tour Wins | 1 |
| DP World Tour Wins | 1 |
| Famous For | Winning the 2018 John Deere Classic and shooting 59 in 2026 |
Early Life and Family Background
Michael Sangwon Kim was born on July 14, 1993, in Seoul, South Korea. His family moved to the United States when he was seven years old, eventually settling in the San Diego area of California.
Michael Kim was born and raised to golfing parents. Both his parents, Sun and Yun Kim, encouraged his passion for this sport. In particular, his father taught golf to Kim along with his elder brother Richard.
The good conditions for practicing this sport were created due to the geographical location of Kim. Being born and raised in Southern California, Kim always had good golfing facilities near home. Kim used to play at Torrey Pines, famous for this sport.
Education and Amateur Golfing Career
The native of California was enrolled at Torrey Pines High School where he became one of the best young golfers of this region. Due to good results achieved by the golfer, Kim managed to take part in major amateur golf tournaments and even play on behalf of his educational institution.
The next stage in his life was studying at the University of California, Berkeley. Playing collegiate golf for California Golden Bears, Kim managed to prove his right to be considered one of the best amateurs in the USA.
In 2013, Kim became the winner of two important prizes – the Fred Haskins Award and the Jack Nicklaus Award. These awards were received due to the great performances shown during college games of the future professional.
One more success in 2013 was being able to become the 17th place finisher at the US Open while still remaining an amateur.
Michael Kim’s Professional Golfing Career
Turning Professional in 2013
Being successful as an amateur, Kim decided to turn professional in December 2013. In order to become a successful professional, it was necessary for him to learn how to cope with much tougher competition, a lot of travelling and necessity to make good results all the time.
Before becoming the part of the PGA Tour, Kim played in developmental tours. Such experience helped him a lot in the further career and in learning how to play professionally.
First PGA Tour Victory in 2018
Kim’s greatest achievement took place at the 2018 John Deere Classic. At this tournament, he made a great result winning the trophy and having the final result of 27-under-par 257 and having 8 strokes advantage.
This victory will always remain in memory of Kim since it made him one of the winners of the PGA Tour and it is still considered to be his biggest victory in this tour.
Though Kim sometimes had poor results after this tournament, he was always able to demonstrate good golf when he was playing well.
Challenges and Career Progress
After the mentioned above victory, Kim faced many problems when he had to make good results. Professional golf is one of the most competitive sports, and it is necessary to show good results all the time in order to have PGA Tour card.
Though it was hard for Kim to deal with such situations, the fact that he did not give up and continued to improve his game helped him to succeed. As an evidence of it, his recent victories in international tournaments can be considered.
In 2025, Kim won the FedEx Open de France on the DP World Tour. This victory was really important since it gave Kim an international title besides his achievements in the PGA Tour and became a new step in his career.
Michael Kim’s Historic 2026 Season
Kim showed one of his greatest rounds in his career at the 2026 3M Open. He managed to score 59 in the second round, breaking the barrier of 60 and showing great golf.
At the tournament, Kim finished tied for 10th, completing four rounds at 17-under-par. 59 is considered to be an important achievement for Kim and shows that he is able to score when his putting and approach game work well.
Kim also finished the Rocket Classic tournament in 2026 tied for 8th place. Later at this season, he finished the Baycurrent Classic in Japan tied for 17th.
By October 2026, his PGA Tour season included three top-10 finishes and more than $2.5 million in official prize money. Though he did not add any victories to his name yet, the mentioned above performances showed his competitiveness in the tour.
Michael Kim’s Playing Style
Accuracy, course management and good shot-making are the main characteristics of Kim’s game. Unlike many players who rely only on distance, Kim always tries to position the ball in the best way possible and create scoring chances using his approach shots.
59 at the 3M Open showed good accuracy of Kim’s iron play and effective putting. It is really hard to shoot below 60 in professional golf and it is one of the rare achievements of any player.
Kim’s career proves that patience and technical consistency are very important in golf.
Michael Kim’s Wife and Relationship Status
Michael Kim tends to keep his private life out of media attention and has become famous only because of his professional golfing career. As of October 2026, there are no proven reports of him being married.
Michael Kim hasn’t really disclosed much information regarding his love life. Any information about his wife or girlfriend or children should thus be approached with caution and should be proved by Michael Kim himself.
His public appearances revolve mostly around tournaments, practice, equipment, and golf.
Michael Kim’s Net Worth and Earnings
Michael Kim has been earning huge amounts of money via professional tournaments in golf and his various sponsorships. Winning the John Deere Classic tournament in 2018 and DP World Tour in 2025 have played their parts in his career earnings.
As of October 2026, his total career earnings via official PGA Tour were approximately $14 million, with other earnings coming from other competitions across the globe. In 2026 alone, his total earnings for the year in PGA Tour were more than $2.5 million.
His total net worth is around $10 million. However, Any online estimate can’t be taken for an accurate value since his earnings from sponsors, investments, etc. are not known.
Michael Kim’s Career Achievements
Some of Kim’s most notable achievements include:
- Winning the Fred Haskins Award in 2013.
- Winning the Jack Nicklaus Award in 2013.
- Finishing as the low amateur at the 2013 US Open.
- Winning the 2018 John Deere Classic by eight strokes.
- Recording his first DP World Tour victory at the 2025 FedEx Open de France.
- Shooting a 59 during the 2026 3M Open.
- Recording top-10 finishes at the 2026 Rocket Classic and 3M Open.
These accomplishments demonstrate his progression from an accomplished college golfer to an international professional champion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Michael Kim
How old is Michael Kim in 2026?
Michael Kim was born on July 14, 1993. He is 33 years old as of October 2026.
Where was Michael Kim born?
He was born in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to the United States with his family when he was seven years old.
Is Michael Kim married?
There is no widely verified public confirmation that Michael Kim is married. He keeps his personal life private.
How many PGA Tour wins does Michael Kim have?
Kim has one PGA Tour victory, the 2018 John Deere Classic, which he won by eight strokes.
What happened to Michael Kim at the 2026 3M Open?
Kim shot a remarkable 59 in the second round and finished tied for 10th at 17-under-par.
What is Michael Kim’s net worth?
His exact net worth is unknown. His professional golf prize money, sponsorships, and other potential income contribute to his wealth.
Did Michael Kim win a tournament in 2025?
Yes. He won the 2025 FedEx Open de France on the DP World Tour, adding an international title to his professional record.
Conclusion
Michael Kim’s golfing journey demonstrates how talent, patience, and continued development can create opportunities at the highest level. From winning major collegiate awards to capturing the 2018 John Deere Classic, he has built a career marked by memorable achievements and periods of resilience.
His 2025 victory at the FedEx Open de France and his historic round of 59 at the 2026 3M Open added important chapters to his story. With continued strong performances, Kim remains a golfer worth watching on the international circuit.
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