1. Overview
Kim Seong-hyeon (김성현Kim Seong-hyeonKorean), also known as S. H. Kim, is a South Korean professional golfer. Born on September 17, 1998, in Changwon, he turned professional in 2017. Kim has achieved significant success across various professional golf tours, including the Japan Golf Tour, Korean Tour, and the Korn Ferry Tour, which led to his qualification for the prestigious PGA Tour. His notable victories include the 2020 KPGA Championship on the Korean Tour and the 2021 Japan PGA Championship on the Japan Golf Tour. In recognition of his strong performance, he was named the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Rookie of the Year.
2. Life
Kim Seong-hyeon's personal journey into professional golf began in South Korea, where he established his foundational skills and education before embarking on a global career.
2.1. Childhood and Education
Kim Seong-hyeon was born on September 17, 1998, in Changwon, South Korea. He pursued higher education at Korea National Sport University, a prominent institution known for its sports programs, which likely contributed to his development as an athlete. His residence remains in Changwon, South Korea.
2.2. Professional Debut
Kim Seong-hyeon officially turned professional in late 2017, marking the beginning of his competitive career in golf. His early professional steps involved participating in qualifying events to secure his place on various tours.
3. Professional Career
Kim Seong-hyeon's professional career has seen him compete and achieve success on multiple international golf circuits, demonstrating his versatility and skill.
3.1. Japan Golf Tour
Kim's involvement with the Japan Golf Tour began in late 2018 when he secured a place on the tour for the 2019 season by finishing fourth in the Japan Golf Tour Qualifying School. In 2019, while primarily playing on the main Japanese tour, he also competed in several events on the second-tier Japan Challenge Tour. During this period, he notably won the Heiwa PGM Challenge I Road To Championship in May 2019. In May 2021, Kim showcased his exceptional skill by recording a final round score of 58 at the Golf Partner Pro-Am Tournament, ultimately finishing tied for 11th place. His first victory on the Japan Golf Tour came in July 2021 when he won the Japan PGA Championship by a single stroke, overcoming Japanese golfers Yuta Ikeda and Yuki Inamori.
3.2. Korean Tour
Kim Seong-hyeon achieved a significant and surprising victory on the Korean Tour in 2020 at the KPGA Championship. At the time of his win, he was not a full member of the Korean Tour. He gained entry into the championship through a Monday qualifying event, where he secured the final qualifying spot. In the final round, he made a crucial birdie on the 17th hole and posted a score of 67, leading him to win the tournament by one stroke. This victory granted him a five-year exemption on the Korean Tour and earned him an entry into the CJ Cup on the 2020-21 PGA Tour.
3.3. Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour
In 2022, Kim Seong-hyeon primarily competed on the Korn Ferry Tour, the developmental tour for the PGA Tour. His strong performances throughout the season allowed him to earn his PGA Tour card for the 2022-23 season through the Korn Ferry Tour Finals. Following his successful rookie season on the Korn Ferry Tour, he was recognized for his achievements and voted the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Rookie of the Year. He currently plays on the PGA Tour.
4. Professional Wins
Kim Seong-hyeon has secured three professional tournament victories across various tours.
4.1. Japan Golf Tour Wins
Kim has one victory on the Japan Golf Tour, which is considered a major championship on that tour.
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 Jul 2021 | Japan PGA Championship | -13 (66-70-67-68=271) | 1 stroke | 池田勇太Yuta IkedaJapanese, 稲森佑貴Yuki InamoriJapanese |
4.2. Korean Tour Wins
Kim has one victory on the Korean Tour.
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 Aug 2020 | KPGA Championship | -5 (70-65-73-67=275) | 1 stroke | 함정우Ham Jeong-wooKorean, 이재경Lee Jae-kyeongKorean |
4.3. Japan Challenge Tour Wins
Kim has one victory on the Japan Challenge Tour.
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 May 2019 | Heiwa PGM Challenge I Road To Championship | -10 (68-68-64=200) | 2 strokes | Nicholas Fung, 白佳和Yoshikazu HakuJapanese |
5. Major Tournament Results
Kim Seong-hyeon has participated in several of golf's most prestigious tournaments, including major championships and The Players Championship.
5.1. Major Championship Participation
Kim has made appearances in two of the four major championships.
| Tournament | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Masters Tournament | |
| PGA Championship | T63 |
| U.S. Open | T56 |
| The Open Championship |
"T" = tied
5.2. The Players Championship Participation
Kim has competed in The Players Championship, often referred to as the "fifth major."
| Tournament | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| The Players Championship | CUT | CUT |
CUT = missed the halfway cut
6. Playoff Record
Kim Seong-hyeon has been involved in two playoff situations on the Korn Ferry Tour, both resulting in losses.
Korn Ferry Tour playoff record (0-2)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022 | Lake Charles Championship | Trevor Werbylo | Lost to birdie on third extra hole |
| 2 | 2025 | The Bahamas Golf Classic | Hank Lebioda | Lost to birdie on first extra hole |
7. Awards and Honors
Kim Seong-hyeon has received significant recognition for his performance during his professional career.
In 2022, he was awarded the Korn Ferry Tour Rookie of the Year honor, a testament to his impressive debut season on the tour that led to his PGA Tour qualification.
8. Evaluation and Impact
Kim Seong-hyeon has established himself as a notable figure in professional golf, particularly through his rapid ascent from the Japan and Korean Tours to the PGA Tour. His victories on the Japan PGA Championship and KPGA Championship highlight his competitive prowess on regional circuits, while his successful qualification for the PGA Tour and subsequent recognition as the Korn Ferry Tour Rookie of the Year underscore his potential on the global stage. As a player for Shinhan Financial Group, he represents a prominent Korean financial institution, further solidifying his standing in the sport. His continued participation on the PGA Tour positions him as an emerging talent with prospects for further achievements in the international golf community.