Kim Si-woo embraces challenges of links course at Open Championship

Kim Si-woo of Korea plays his shot from the 15th tee during the third round of the 123rd U.S. Open Championship at The Los Angeles Country Club in Los Angeles, California, June 17. AFP-Yonhap

The historic Open Championship, now in its 151st edition this week, is staged on links courses across Britain, testing golfers' patience and shotmaking skills as natural elements come into play.

And Korean golfer Kim Si-woo wouldn't have it any other way, as the Open Championship returns to the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England, for the first time since 2014.

"It's my first time here at Royal Liverpool, and competing at a major championship is always fun and exciting," Kim said in an interview script provided by the PGA Tour on Wednesday. "I enjoy playing on a difficult and challenging course, and I like this course here. I can hit shots at a low trajectory, so it shouldn't be too difficult for me to play on this links course."

Kim will play the first two rounds with Cameron Young and Bryson DeChambeau, both from the United States.

Kim Si-woo of Korea plays an approach shot on the 14th hole during the first round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, June 22. AFP-Yonhap

"I've been playing for the past several weeks, and I think I'll need to take about two weeks off before the FedEx Cup playoffs begin (in August)," Kim said. "But I am feeling pretty good now. I am a bit tired because I've been practicing quite a bit, but my body feels good overall."

Kim, who earned his fourth career PGA Tour win in January this year, said he's been pleased with his consistency this season.

"I've not missed that many cuts, and my iron play has been really good compared to the past couple of years," said Kim, who has five top-10 finishes in 23 events with four missed cuts this season. "I've been hitting more greens this season, and I am making fewer bogeys."

At No. 36, Kim is the third-highest ranked Korean player in the world, behind Im Sung-jae (No. 23) and Kim Joo-hyung (No. 24). Those three are among seven Korean players in the field this week.

Korea's Kim Joo-hyung walks on the 17th green, on day three of the Scottish Open 2023 golf tournament at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland, Saturday. AP-Yonhap

They will all try to become just the second Korean man to win a major, joining the 2009 PGA Championship winner Yang Yong-eun in this exclusive company.

One last-minute entry into the tournament is An Byeong-hun, who grabbed one of the final three spots in the Open Championship by tying for third place at last week's Scottish Open.

An recently switched to a broomstick putter and cited Kim as the inspiration for the change. Kim responded he was only happy to help out.

"We pull for each other, and that creates good synergy," Kim said. "I heard Byeong-hun dropped my name when he talked about his new putter. I feel like I contributed maybe 3 percent to his third-place finish last week." (Yonhap)