Golf, a sport known for its unpredictability, has once again lived up to its reputation. Michael S. Kim, an outspoken figure in the game, recently found himself in a position teetering between triumph and disappointment. Despite missing the cut in three tournaments this season, Kim’s stellar performances, such as his second-place finish at the People’s Open and his fourth-place stand at the Arnold Palmer Invitation, have kept his spirits high. This same drive prompted him to extend gratitude to his fellow competitor during a recent event in Florida.
Upon recording scores of 73 and 71 in the two rounds at the Valspar Championship, Kim faced a precarious situation. His fate, along with that of 11 other professionals, hinged on Neal Shipley’s performance on the last hole. After a lackluster start with a five-over in the opening round, Shipley seemed to be gaining traction in the second.
Shipley’s round was going smoothly, with no bogeys and four birdies to his name, until he stumbled at the penultimate hole. Despite carding a bogey on the final hole, he still ended with a substantial round. His three-under put his total score at two-over, tying him for the 65th position. If he had managed to score a par, he would have secured the 65th spot alone, and the 12 players, including Kim, would have been eliminated from the weekend rounds of the $8.7 million event. As evidenced by his social media posts, Kim was anxiously awaiting the outcome.
Nathan Hubbard, reporting on the event, tweeted, “If Neal Shipley gets up and down, 12 guys get cut. If he bogeys, they all make money and points and play the weekend.” Kim, in response, pleaded with Shipley to finish his round so he could plan his next move. After the 24-year-old completed his second round, a relieved Kim tweeted, “Neal just made 12 new friends.”
Kim had previously expressed his uncertainty while waiting at the airport. However, following Shipley’s final putt, he revealed that he was returning to his hotel, expressing gratitude that he hadn’t checked out yet and could cancel his flight for credit. Shipley, too, celebrated making the cut and acknowledged the gravity of his last hole. He jokingly suggested that his fellow competitors could leave him Waffle House gift cards in his locker as a token of gratitude, to which Kim promptly replied, “You got it, buddy.”
The Copperhead Course has proven challenging for players this week. Even the leader, Jacob Bridgeman, only managed a six-under after two days. However, the world’s number three player, Xander Schauffele, may have found a winning strategy in this arduous course. After a poor performance at THE PLAYERS and API, Schauffele now finds himself in the mix at the Valspar Championship. After shooting 69 and 67 in the first two rounds at Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course, Schauffele has positioned himself strongly, indicating that he has regained his stride.
While Kim’s odds of a turnaround seem bleak, golf’s unpredictable nature keeps us guessing. It’s yet to be seen who will come out on top in the final event of Florida’s Swing. This story serves as a reminder of the high stakes and drama that make golf such a riveting sport.
