Kim Joo-hyung Returns to PGA Tour After Two Months Following Asian Games Gold, Competes in Mexico Open

Kim Joo-hyung is returning to the field after taking a sweet-earned break following his gold medal win at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

Kim will compete in the Vidanta World Mexico Open, a PGA Tour Fall Series event taking place at Vidanta Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Nayarit, Mexico, running from October 29 (local time) to November 1.

This marks Kim's return to a PGA Tour event in about two months, since the Tour Championship at the end of August.

After playing in the Presidents Cup, a golf team competition held in the United States last month, he immediately traveled to Nagoya, Japan, to participate in the Asian Games.

At the time, Kim overcame jet lag, sleep deprivation, and fatigue to win the gold medal in the men's golf individual event, earning military service exemptions. He has since enjoyed sufficient rest and a time of recharging.

Having secured one PGA Tour win this season and four career victories, Kim plans to chase his second win of the season and fifth career title without pressure.

Through its official website on October 27, the PGA Tour introduced key players and power rankings for this tournament, rating Kim as the second favorite to win.

The PGA Tour introduced him by saying, "While most competing players must engage in fierce competition, Kim Joo-hyung enters this tournament savoring his recent dazzling achievements." It added, "Kim is running without restraint, having achieved results such as a third-place finish at the U.S. Open, a victory at the Genesis Scottish Open, and a gold medal at the Asian Games."

Just as the PGA Tour introduction highlights, Kim enters this tournament without the pressure of maintaining his tour card status.

Having tied for 14th in the FedEx Cup rankings, Kim has already secured his playing card for next season regardless of his performance at this event.

In contrast, players hovering around the 100th spot in the FedEx Cup rankings must engage in a nail-biting survival battle.

The PGA Tour grants playing cards for next season to players ranked 100th and below in the FedEx Cup rankings after concluding the eight Fall Series events of this season.

This tournament is the fifth event of the Fall Series, leaving few opportunities remaining to secure playing cards.

Tony Finau (United States), who has six PGA Tour wins and won this tournament in 2023, has dropped to 107th in the FedEx Cup rankings and must fight for his survival.

Top-tier players who are challenging for the title without card worries, much like Kim, are also turning out in large numbers.

This year's U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark (United States), defending champion Brian Campbell (United States) who claimed two PGA Tour wins last year, Ben Griffin (United States) who secured three tour wins last season, and Max Homa (United States) with six career tour victories will compete for the title.

John Daly II, the son of star John Daly (United States) who has five PGA Tour wins including two major titles, has also added his name to the entry list.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.