Chan Kim Bio
Chan Kim (born March 24, 1990) is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour. A native of Suwon, South Korea, he grew up in Hawaii and built his game through the American amateur circuit before launching an international professional career. Kim previously played on the Japan Golf Tour, where he won eight times, and on the Korn Ferry Tour, where he won twice. He is recognized as the 2017 Japan Golf Tour Rookie of the Year and a Japan Golf Tour Most Valuable Player.
Early Life and Background
Chan Kim was born on March 24, 1990, in Suwon, South Korea. He later moved to Hawaii during his childhood, where he developed an early connection to the game of golf. The island environment, known for producing competitive players, gave him access to year-round playing opportunities and a strong amateur foundation.
Kim’s move to the United States set the stage for his collegiate career. He attended Arizona State University, one of the most respected programs in American college golf. The Sun Devils’ schedule and coaching environment helped him sharpen his game against elite amateur competition.
Path to Professional Golf
As an amateur, Kim built a steady résumé, including a victory at the 2009 Pacific Coast Amateur. He was also a two-time winner of the Arizona Stroke Play Championship, a result that confirmed his standing in the competitive southwestern amateur scene. Those performances pointed toward a professional future.
Kim turned professional in 2010 and began traveling across multiple development circuits to gain experience. He played on the Canadian Tour in 2011 before moving to the Challenge Tour and the Asian Tour in 2013 and 2014. In 2013, he finished as runner-up at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship, an early signal that he could compete at a high level internationally.
Chan Kim Career
Early Career (2010-2014)
Kim’s earliest professional seasons were defined by movement between tours and steady learning. He spent time on the Canadian Tour, the Challenge Tour, and the Asian Tour, gaining exposure to a variety of course types and competitive formats. His runner-up finish at the 2013 Yeangder Tournament Players Championship marked his first significant result on a recognized tour.
These years helped Kim develop the consistency and patience required for full-time tour golf. The international schedule also broadened his comfort on varied playing surfaces, a skill that would later translate to success on the Japan Golf Tour.
Japan Golf Tour Breakthrough (2015-2022)
Kim joined the Japan Golf Tour in 2015 and quickly adapted to the schedule. In 2017, he won the Mizuno Open, a victory that earned him a place in The Open Championship. Earlier in the same week, he had secured a qualifying spot for the 2017 U.S. Open, a remarkable stretch that showcased his form.
Later in 2017, he captured his second Japan Golf Tour title at the Shigeo Nagashima Invitational Sega Sammy Cup, closing with a bogey-free round of 66. His rookie season results led to the Japan Golf Tour Rookie of the Year award.
Kim continued his rise on the Japan Golf Tour, eventually accumulating eight total wins on the circuit. During the 2020-21 season, he was named Japan Golf Tour Most Valuable Player and topped the money list, confirming his status as one of the tour’s leading players.
Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour (2023-Present)
In August 2023, Kim won his first Korn Ferry Tour event at the Magnit Championship, taking the title by three shots. The following week, he won the Albertsons Boise Open, a back-to-back performance that pushed him up the points list. He finished second on the Korn Ferry Tour regular-season points list and secured his PGA Tour card.
Kim has since made the transition to the PGA Tour as a full-time player, representing the next chapter of his professional career. His two Korn Ferry Tour wins provided a clear platform for competing at the highest level in the United States.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kim’s signature stretch came in 2017, when he won the Mizuno Open to earn a place in The Open Championship and also qualified for the 2017 U.S. Open in the same week. His consecutive Korn Ferry Tour victories in August 2023 represented another milestone, lifting him to second on the points list and onto the PGA Tour. His eight Japan Golf Tour titles and two Korn Ferry Tour wins form the foundation of his career achievements.
Chan Kim Career Wins
Chan Kim has built a verified record of ten professional victories across multiple tours. He has won eight times on the Japan Golf Tour and twice on the Korn Ferry Tour, establishing himself as a consistent winner on competitive circuits.
Japan Golf Tour Highlights
Kim’s Japan Golf Tour career began with his 2017 Mizuno Open win, which opened the door to major championship play. He added the Shigeo Nagashima Invitational Sega Sammy Cup later that year, then continued adding titles across subsequent seasons. His 2020-21 campaign stood out, as he earned Most Valuable Player honors and topped the money list while adding to his win total.
Other Wins & Performances
On the Korn Ferry Tour, Kim won the Magnit Championship in August 2023 by three shots, then followed it with a win at the Albertsons Boise Open the next week. He finished second on the regular-season points list to earn his PGA Tour card.
Chan Kim Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Chan Kim was born in Suwon, South Korea, and raised in Hawaii. Public information about his parents and extended family is limited, and additional details have not been confirmed in available sources.
Personal Life
Kim resides in Gilbert, Arizona, where he bases his professional golf activities. He stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and has built a career traveling between tours in the United States and Asia.
2025 Season Performance
Chan Kim entered 2025 as a PGA Tour rookie following his Korn Ferry Tour breakthrough in 2023. The transition to full-time play on the PGA Tour marks a significant step after years of competition in Japan and on the Korn Ferry circuit. His track record of winning in bunches, including back-to-back Korn Ferry titles, provides optimism for a strong rookie season.
With eight Japan Golf Tour wins and a Most Valuable Player award on his résumé, Kim has demonstrated the consistency required to compete on the PGA Tour. His comfort on varied course types and proven closing ability position him as a player capable of contending in limited-field events and regular tour stops alike.