Tom Kim Reveals Mental Struggles Behind His Slow Play Issues
Professional golfer Tom Kim recently addressed concerns about his pace of play during tournaments. After competing in TGL, where players face a 40-second shot clock, Kim acknowledged his struggles and explained the underlying reasons.
"I've struggled with pace of play due to a lot of fighting with some mental stuff," Kim admitted, noting improvements in his pace starting from the Waste Management Phoenix Open and continuing through the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines.
The topic gained attention after a notable incident at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where Kim took 65 seconds to execute a shot that ultimately landed in a penalty area. This led to critical commentary from Golf Channel broadcasters.
Kim's caddie, Paul Tesori, emphasized that managing pace of play is also a caddie's responsibility. He detailed several strategies he implements to help speed up play:
- Walking quickly or jogging to reach the ball first
- Providing clear, concise information
- Pre-emptively sharing wind conditions between shots
- Actively encouraging his player to maintain pace
The PGA Tour has recently announced initiatives to address pace of play, including:
- Implementation of distance-measuring devices
- Publication of pace-of-play data
- Disclosure of slow-play penalties and fines
- Enhanced video review during rulings
Tesori acknowledged that increased scrutiny comes with Kim's rising profile, particularly following his Netflix appearance and early Tour success. He emphasized the importance of controlling what they can while managing the spotlight that comes with professional success.