THE MODERATOR: We'd like to welcome Si Woo Kim to the interview room here at the CJ CUP Byron Nelson 2025.
Si Woo, you'll be making your fifth start this week at this tournament. You were the runner-up here in 2023 with a final round 63. You're obviously familiar with the golf course. Just finished nine holes in the Pro-Am. What was that Pro-Am like this morning for you?
SI WOO KIM: It was too early. Still sleepy. It was good to finish before the tournament, and it was good to check out before Thursday. So it was a good round. Exciting to start the week.
THE MODERATOR: Did you notice any difference in the golf course from the last few years?
SI WOO KIM: Golf course doesn't change much, but there's a couple new tee boxes, and then grass is different.
The last couple years, even if I miss like short, I can spin it anywhere because the grass is zoysia, so easy to play. This new grass, if it gets wet, it's not going to roll any more yards. It's going to be played much longer, and it's going to be harder more short-side.
So I think it's going to be still -- yeah, it's going to be not too easy and play way harder than the last couple years.
Q. How would you assess -- you had a top 10 at the RBC Heritage. You held the lead there after 54 holes. How would you sum up your season so far?
SI WOO KIM: It's been not bad. I had a good week two weeks ago the first time this year. It was good to bring my confidence back a little bit. Yeah, especially home game this week, so just excited for here and excited to play.
Q. Geoff Ogilvy was just announced as International Team captain for 2026. Wanted to get your thoughts on that, having played under him as an assistant team captain, and how hopeful you are going into that in 2026.
SI WOO KIM: When I grew up, I was watching Geoff Ogilvy playing. When I was like 10 to 14, I was watching his playing all the majors and then playing with Tiger as he won the U.S. Open as well. It's really good to have major champion captains.
We've known each other, like started literally my first Presidents Cup, so we've known each other more than 10 years. Yeah, I have fun with him like last three Presidents Cups. So it's good to be back. Then, yeah, if I'm playing, he's the captain. I'm excited to play for him, and hopefully we're going to win someday, yeah.
Q. What do you consider to be your home course here in Dallas? Is it this one? Where do you primarily play when you're at home?
SI WOO KIM: Oh, Royal Oaks. I'm not playing all the time here, but I've come like twice a year maybe. It's close to home, yes.
Q. What do you think about your group? Very Dallas-based, you're going to have a lot of fans out there?
SI WOO KIM: It's going to be a fun two days, especially World Number 1 and former World Number 1. So it's going to be a really fun two days. There's a lot to learn from them.
It's going to be -- whether I play good or bad, it's going to be a fun week.
Q. How do you feel about being a member of Team CJ and having a South Korean contingent here and all the success that South Korean golfers have had here?
SI WOO KIM: I turned pro in 2013. We started together almost more than 12 years ago. They've supported me super great, and they treat me super great.
Yeah, it's good to be with my sponsor on PGA TOUR events. We're proud of our country and proud of our sponsor. It's going to be a good week. A lot of Korean players have more like proud of this sponsorship and this event.
THE MODERATOR: Si Woo, I just want to go back to the Presidents Cup for a second. A couple of young players, international players on the verge, Karl Vilips winning in Puerto Rico from Australia and Aldrich Potgieter from South Africa. Have you interacted with them? Have they come to you and asked you any questions about the Presidents Cup?
SI WOO KIM: I haven't heard from them, but I saw them playing playoffs a couple holes. They're hitting so far and have a great game and all the good putters.
I'm excited to have like young, good players so we can mix it up like all the good major champions and then like new faces. It's going to be great.
Q. Si Woo, we saw you contend a few weeks ago at the RBC Heritage. Just wondering, what are you working on in your game right now, and what would you like to see happen this week to get that fourth PGA TOUR victory?
SI WOO KIM: Trying to get back to basics. Before the start of the year, I tried to pick up some spin with the driver. That's why I lost my rhythm of the swing because between shots always been struggling pretty much all year. I started back to trying to get my rhythm back.
I didn't try to spin it up much, so I think that helps a couple weeks ago play good. Just got to get more experience for final group, then next one should be better than two weeks ago.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports