Si Woo Kim gets sponsor’s exemption – Puerto Rico Open
Golf news these days usually revolves around the young guns on the tour. The 17-year-old, Si Woo Kim, who got through the Qualifying School, has secured a start on the Professional Golf Association Tour before his 18th birthday.
The Puerto Rico Open that is to be held next year, from March 4 to 10, will have Kim on its fairways as the young golfer accepted a sponsor’s exemption.
Sponsor exemption is a privilege that the sponsors of a particular tournament have. They can include players to an event’s roster on their discretion.
The PGA Tour Qualifying School at the PGA West La Quinta, California which was held recently saw the teenager clinch the 20th place.
Kim might be a probable record holder as he won his tour card by performing up to the required standards on the Professional Golf Association Tour event.
The previous record was set by another talented golfer named, Ty Tryon.
Although the teenager has qualified and earned a tour card, on the basis of his performance, he cannot be considered for the tournament. It is due to the sponsor exemption that Kim will be able to get a taste of professional golf at the highest level.
Many Asian players have caught up with the pace of their western counterparts. With such potential in the midst, there are high hopes that the Korean, Kim will make a major impact on the men’s circuit.
There have been many glimpses of hope in the past but the light slowly faded away, as the young players were not able to rise up to the potential they are so capable of.
Men’s golf has various dimensions to it. There is a stiff competition in every tournament because of so many talented players on the tour.
Nevertheless, Kim has displayed a highly consistent, making the headlines with a splendid display of his talent on the fairways.
According to the rules and regulations of the Professional Golf Association a player cannot participate in a professional tournament even if he has a tour card, as long he is less than eighteen years of age.
The sponsor’s exemption was the only way the young Asian golfer would have access to participate in the tournament.
With such a great opportunity in his hands, Kim will have to make this count and churn out his true potential.
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