South Korean PGA Tour pro Si Woo Kim shared his humorous experience of playing PlayStation with children ahead of the upcoming FedEx St. Jude Championship, scheduled to begin on August 7 in Memphis. In conversation with Jason Sobel and Drew Stoltz on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio, Kim revealed how gaming has become a stress-relief routine during his tournament preparations.
Si Woo Kim’s Gaming Moments with Young Players
Kim travels with his PlayStation and often plays Call of Duty (COD) while on tour. He admitted that the children he plays against, mostly around eight to nine years old, are exceptionally skilled and quick to tease him when they defeat him in the game. Reflecting on these moments, Kim said,
“Every time I got killed, I got a, like, microphone , ‘Hey, you suck.'”
—Si Woo Kim, PGA Tour Professional
He described how gaming occupies a significant part of his day before teeing off early in the morning. Explaining his routine, Kim stated,
“When you’re teeing off like 7:37 in the morning, you finish before noon,” he said (via PGA Tour). “If I bring my PlayStation and play a few games, it’s already like 3 or 4 p.m. I can then like get a coffee and dinner. And when I’m back, I may play a few games and go to sleep.”
—Si Woo Kim, PGA Tour Professional
Beyond the fun and competitive spirit, gaming helps Kim decompress from the pressures of tournament golf. He added,
“When I’m playing games, I don’t worry about the next day’s play. I don’t worry about like, ‘Oh what hole and how I’m going to play this hole.’ I don’t do that anymore. I think that (PlayStation) helps lessen the stress,”
—Si Woo Kim, PGA Tour Professional
Building Family Moments Amidst Tour Life
Alongside his gaming routine, Kim has also been sharing moments with his family during his Memphis visit. On Instagram, he posted photos from practice sessions at TPC Southwind, capturing relaxed and candid scenes with his wife, Ji Hyun Oh, and their young son, Theo. These images show the golfer balancing professional competition with family life as he prepares for his next event.
Kim and Ji Hyun Oh, a professional golfer herself, have been married since 2022. Their son Theo was born in February of last year, and the family’s presence offers a supportive backdrop as Kim targets his fifth PGA Tour victory.
Looking Ahead at the FedEx St. Jude Championship
Kim, a four-time winner on the PGA Tour, last claimed a title at the Sony Open in Hawaii in early 2023, edging out Hayden Buckley by one stroke. His aim this week is to secure another triumph in Memphis as part of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, where competition will be intense from Thursday onward.
With his unique approach of blending gaming and relaxation, Kim hopes to stay focused and calm throughout the tournament, allowing him to perform at his best as he chases further success on the Tour.