Elite Ball Striking Powers Tom Kim to Scottish Open Title
NORTH BERWICK, SCOTLAND - JULY 12: Tom Kim of South Korea poses with the trophy following victory on day four of the Genesis Scottish Open 2026 at The Renaissance Club on July 12, 2026 in North Berwick, Scotland. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Tom Kim returned to the winner’s circle with a composed performance to claim the Scottish Open at 17-under par, securing his fourth PGA Tour title before the age of 24. It was his first victory in almost 1,000 days, a reminder of both his immense talent and the patience required to get back to the top after battling injuries and inconsistent form.
What stood out wasn’t one spectacular round but a complete all-around performance. Kim gained strokes in every major category, leading the field from tee to green while consistently giving himself birdie opportunities and avoiding costly mistakes.
Winning score: -17
Scoring Breakdown
● Par 3: -1
● Par 4: -10
● Par 5: -6
His dominance on the par 4s was the biggest separator, accounting for nearly 60% of his under-par scoring.
By the numbers
Driving
● Driving Distance: 292 yards
● Driving Accuracy: 58%
● Greens in Regulation: 82%
Strokes Gained
● SG Total: +3.97
● Off the Tee: +0.60
● Approach: +2.16
● Short Game: +0.30
● Putting: +0.91
Approach play was once again the foundation of his success, contributing more than half of his total strokes gained. Combined with a strong putting week, Kim consistently converted the opportunities he created.
Key stats
● 1st in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green
● 1st in Par 4 Scoring
● 2nd in Greens in Regulation
● 2nd in Bogey Avoidance
Tom Kim’s victory is a great example of how elite ball striking drives success. He wasn’t the longest hitter in the field, averaging just 292 yards off the tee, but he repeatedly put himself in the right positions. Ranking first in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green and second in Greens in Regulation meant he created more quality birdie chances than almost anyone else while limiting mistakes.