16-Year-Old English Amateur Putting Exam Revision To One Side As He Prepares For PGA Tour Debut
Kris Kim has his eyes on making the cut at this week's CJ Cup Bryon Nelson but has an equally important test a few days later


English teenage amateur star Kris Kim admitted he will be putting exam revision to the back of his mind when he makes his PGA Tour debut at this week's CJ Cup Bryon Nelson.
The 16-year-old was a star of Europe's winning Junior Ryder Cup team at Marco Simone last year, where he was undefeated as he contributed 3.5 points in the team’s emphatic 20.5-9.5 victory over Team USA - its first since 2006.
Kim's talent has already seen him ink lucrative NIL sponsorship deals with Under Armour Golf, TaylorMade Golf and the CJ Group, with the latter granting him a sponsor's exemption into this week's event.
"It's been a dream of mine since I started golf, and to finally be able to play on this platform is incredible for me," he said, speaking at his pre-tournament press conference at TPC Craig Ranch.
"I can't wait to play in front of big crowds again. I've never hit the ball as far as I did at the Ryder Cup. The adrenalin rush makes golf so much fun. That said, having played that course, and a few more tour courses, I appreciate the task ahead and look forward to the challenge."
While Kim's main aim this week is to make the cut, the Surrey-born golfer will also have his work cut out for him after the event, with his English GCSE exam taking place just three days after he touches back down in the United Kingdom.
"I'll try to forget about them for the time being and then focus on them on the flight back," he joked. "I am trying to revise but it's quite tough! My schedule is quite busy right now."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
🗣️ "I've actually got exams!"English amateur star Kris Kim will put GCSE revision on hold after being handed a sponsor's exemption to make his PGA Tour debut in Texas ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/f8wO6V4XDDMay 2, 2024
Kim's crowning moment at last year's Junior Ryder Cup was his stellar showing in the singles which saw him coast to a 5&4 win against esteemed American junior amateur Miles Russell.
Only last month, Russell became the youngest player to make a cut in Korn Ferry Tour history and Kim is hoping to take inspiration from the 15-year-old's achievements.
"He's obviously a really good golfer and he's a pretty nice guy as well so congrats to him," he said. "Hopefully, I can do something similar this week."
Kim tees off in the first round at 9:02 a.m. local time alongside Max Greyserman and Norman Xiong.

Ben joined Golf Monthly having completed his NCTJ in multimedia sports journalism at News Associates, London. He is now a freelance journalist who also works for The Independent, Metro, UEFA and Stats Perform.
-
US Open Betting Tips And Odds: Final Round Picks
Who are we picking to win the 2025 US Open?
-
LIV Golf Carlos Ortiz Said He ‘Deserved’ To Be At US Open… A Year On And He’s Contending To Win It
A year ago, Carlos Ortiz claimed he warranted a place in the US Open field - now, he's in the mix to take the title at Oakmont
-
PGA Tour Set To Unveil NFL Executive As New CEO
It has been confirmed that NFL Executive Brian Rolapp is leaving the organization, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting he will become the PGA Tour’s new CEO
-
NBC Sports Chief’s ‘Total Sideshow’ LIV Golf Comments Raise Two Key Questions - How Will Saudi-Backed Tour Respond?
After NBC Sports chief Sam Flood called it a "total sideshow" we look at how LIV Golf could respond, with another huge cash injection or a change in strategy
-
Joaquin Niemann Leapfrogs Scottie Scheffler And Rory McIlroy As Golf's Top Earner In 2025 After LIV Golf Virginia Victory
The Chilean's fourth win of the year secured another $4 million and consequently catapulted Niemann to the top of the on-course earnings across all tours
-
Ryan Fox Wins The RBC Canadian Open Via Playoff After 'Shot Of His Life'
The New Zealander defeated Sam Burns at the fourth playoff hole, with Fox producing the shot of his life via a 260-yard fairway wood
-
RBC Canadian Open 2025 Round Four Tee Times
Matteo Manassero and Ryan Fox lead a tightly-bunched leaderboard at TPC Toronto with both looking for the biggest win of their careers so far...
-
'Of Course It Concerns Me. You Don't Want To Shoot High Scores Like The One I Did Today' - Rory McIlroy Endures Torrid Eight-Over-Par Round To Miss RBC Canadian Open Cut
After his eight-over 78 at TPC Toronto, McIlroy revealed he will be 'testing quite a few drivers over the weekend' as his attention turns to Oakmont and the US Open
-
Rory McIlroy Among 10 Big Names Who Missed The Cut At RBC Canadian Open
McIlroy's struggles off the tee continued at TPC Toronto, with the five-time Major winner among the big names who missed the cut at the RBC Canadian Open
-
Rory McIlroy Makes Key Gear Changes Ahead Of RBC Canadian Open (And US Open)
The World No.2 has a new driver, 3-wood and 3-iron in the bag this week in Canada