The uncertainty of it all is what makes golf intriguing. Michael S. Kim, known for his rather bold take on things, recently faced something similar. Having missed three cuts this season so far, he sure knows it stinks, but stunning performances like a T2 finish at the People’s Open and a T4 at the Arnold Palmer Invitation are what keep him going. Maybe this enthusiasm is what urged him to thank his opponent in Florida.
After carding two rounds of 73 and 71, Kim made the cut at the Valspar Championship. It wasn’t without uncertainty, though. You see, his and 11 other pros’ luck depended on Neal Shipley’s final hole. After a disappointing opening round of 5 over, Shipley was finally gathering momentum for the second round.
With no bogeys and four birdies, Shipley had good momentum, until the second-to-last hole. He was at 4-under, but the last hole witnessed him card a bogey. He still had a pretty decent round. He was at 3-under, marking his total score to be a 2-over tied for the 65th position. Now had he carded an even par, he would be alone at T65, and those 12 players would have missed the weekend at the $8.7 million event. Michael S. Kim was eagerly waiting to see if he would be playing the weekend rounds, and his X thread is evidence.
When Nathan Hubbard reported, “If Neal Shipley gets up and down, 12 guys get cut. If he bogeys, they all make money and points and play the weekend,” Kim requested Shipley. “Please just finish so I can either go home tonight or know I’m playing.” Right after the 24-year-old finished his second round, Kim was relieved and wrote, “Neal just made 12 new friends.”
Earlier he tweeted about waiting at the airport, unsure of what to do but after Shipley’s final putt, he wrote, “Guess I’m driving back to my hotel. Luckily I didn’t check out of my hotel so I’ll just go back to my room haha. Flight I’ll just cancel for flight credit.”
Even Neal Shipley got into the celebratory mode having made the cut, and understood what was at stake on that last hole. At the post-round presser, he cheekily said, “Well, everyone knows where my locker room is and they can feel free to leave some Waffle House gift cards in there for me. I’d appreciate it.” And Michael Kim was quick to wittily respond in gratitude, “You got it, buddy.”
You got it buddy
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) March 22, 2025
Players are having a hard time at Copperhead Course this week with even the leader Jacob Bridgeman carding 6 under after two days. It’s a tough course after all! However, looks like there is someone who might be back on track in this difficult course, especially with their new-found simple strategy of just playing golf.
World No.3 might finally be playing some good golf
The post Michael Kim Thanks 24-Year-Old Pro As Cutline Drama Heats Up at $8.7M PGA Tour Event: ’I’m Driving Back… appeared first on EssentiallySports.
