At the 2025 BMW Championship in Maryland, Viktor Hovland showcased an impressive performance, finishing tied for seventh place, while Michael Kim narrowly missed qualifying for the PGA Tour FedEx Cup Playoffs by just one position. Hovland’s strong showing secured his place in the upcoming Tour Championship, whereas Kim ended the event in tenth place and missed the playoffs by finishing 31st in the FedEx Cup standings.
Final Round Drama at the 2025 BMW Championship
Viktor Hovland completed the tournament with a solid 7-under-par total over four rounds, moving him six spots up the FedEx Cup rankings to 22nd position heading into the Tour Championship. Meanwhile, Michael Kim finished one stroke behind Hovland with a 6-under-par total, which placed him tenth in the event but left him just outside the cut line for the FedEx Cup playoffs. Kim advanced 11 places in the standings but ultimately settled for 31st, missing the top 30 cutoff.
Reflecting on this narrow miss in a lighthearted way, Kim joked on X (formerly Twitter),
“Viktor and I used to be friends…”
highlighting the friendly rivalry that developed between the two during their final round partnership.
Season Highlights and Career Progression of Hovland and Kim
Throughout 2025, Viktor Hovland participated in 17 PGA Tour events, making the cut in 14 and achieving eight top-25 finishes, including three placements within the top ten. Notably, he secured a victory at the 2025 Valspar Championship. With consistent performance, Hovland amassed $5,164,239 in official earnings this season, and his consistent play helped him climb to 13th in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).
Michael Kim competed in 26 tournaments this year, missing the cut five times but recording seven top-25 finishes, with four inside the top ten. His standout performance came at the 2025 WM Phoenix Open, where he tied for second place after shooting 17 under par for the week. Kim earned $4,089,131 in official prize money and achieved a world ranking of 62nd after the BMW Championship.
Significance of the FedEx Cup Playoffs Cutoff
The FedEx Cup Playoffs represent the culmination of the PGA Tour season, where only the top 30 players in the points standings advance to the Tour Championship. Hovland’s ascent into this elite group not only affirms his strong form but positions him within reach of a major season-ending title. For Kim, missing playoff qualification by a single spot is a setback, but his year-long efforts and earnings emphasize his resilience and ability to contend at a high level.
As the Tour Championship approaches, all eyes will be on Hovland to see if he can capitalize on his momentum. Meanwhile, Kim’s narrow miss could fuel his motivation for the upcoming season and future tournaments, as he remains a respected competitor among golf enthusiasts.