Si Woo Kim Rallies to Win Sony Open

Si Woo Kim of South Korea plays his shot from the 14th tee during the final round of the Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, on January 15, 2023. Harry How/Getty Images

Si Woo Kim of South Korea birdied his final two holes to fire his second straight 6-under 64 and win the Sony Open on Sunday, Jan. 15, in Honolulu.

Kim’s eight birdies and two bogeys helped him finish the week with an 18-under 262, beating third-round leader Hayden Buckley by a stroke.

The key moment came at the par-3 17th, where Kim’s tee shot missed the green. He chipped in from about 28 feet away for a birdie that proved pivotal.

Kim said that before hitting his chip, he heard a crowd roar in the distance that told him Buckley had made a birdie at the hole behind him.

“It was kind of tough lie into the greens, so I had to hit aggressive,” Kim said. “So I just hit it aggressive and goes in. Yeah, it was exciting.”

Si Woo Kim of South Korea poses with his wife Ji Hyun Oh and the trophy after putting in to win on the 18th green during the final round of the Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu on Jan. 15, 2023. Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The chip-in tied him with Buckley at 17 under, and his two-putt birdie at the par-5 18th at Waialae Country Club got him to 18 under. Kim clinched his fourth PGA Tour title when Buckley missed a birdie try at No. 18 that would have forced a playoff.

Kim began the day three shots behind Buckley.

“It’s like first time, winning like first event ... can’t be better than this,” said Kim, who last won in January 2021. “So this is really exciting, and hopefully a lot of the seasons left. Hopefully trying to get more confidence and then like hopefully get more wins.”

Buckley, who made two eagles Saturday to grab the 54-hole lead, shot a 2-under 68 Sunday with four birdies and two bogeys, both of which came on the back nine. His pars on the last two holes prevented him from chasing down Kim.

“I feel like I had control of the tournament pretty much the whole way, but just a late miss I think on 15 from 3 or 4 feet really hurt, but I bounced back with a birdie and gave myself a chance,” said Buckley, who was seeking his first win on tour. “Overall I was impressed by what I did, and I think I‘ll remember this day and it’ll just make me better.”

Chris Kirk (68 Sunday) finished in third at 15 under. Andrew Putnam (68), David Lipsky (69) and England’s Ben Taylor (69) tied for fourth at 14 under.

Australian Aaron Baddeley (bogey-free 65), Matt Kuchar (66), Maverick McNealy (67), Nate Lashley (68) and Canadian Nick Taylor (67) tied for seventh at 13 under.