Kim has been handed a sponsor’s exemption by CJ Group – who also sponsor him individually – to tee it up again at TPC Craig Ranch, where world No 1 Scottie Scheffler headlines a strong field that also contains three-time major winner Jordan Spieth.
The amateur created headlines in last year’s contest, where he became the youngest European player ever to make a cut on the PGA Tour, the fifth youngest in history and first 16-year-old to reach the weekend since 2015.
Kim put his GCSE revision on hold 12 months ago to finish in 65th place, as Taylor Pendrith claimed a one-shot victory, with the 17-year-old looking to build on last year’s historic performance and impress once again.
“It was so much fun the first time I just want to experience it all again – all four days of it,” Kim said.
On the exam results, Kim added: “I did alright with my results except for Religious Studies – I revised the entirely wrong subject for that one!”
Kim needed a par on the par-five 18th hole in his second round last year to make the cut and showed composure beyond his years to produce a sixth birdie of the day and safely reach the weekend.