Kim Si-woo eyes playoff win: 'Getting closer to a victory'

"For the past two or three years, I hadn't played much in contention. This year I've been in that position a lot, so I've improved greatly. I feel like I'm learning a great deal and getting much closer to a win."

Kim Si-woo, who has reached a career-high world ranking of No. 13 this season, reaffirmed his determination to win as he prepares for the second event of the PGA Tour playoffs.

Kim has competed in 22 PGA Tour events this season, recording 11 top-10 finishes, including three runner-up results. He raised expectations heading into the playoff stretch last week with a runner-up finish at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the first playoff event.

Ahead of the second playoff event on Wednesday, Kim held a video press conference with Korean media. "I want to pour everything I have into the final two playoff events — the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship — and win at least one of them," he said.

Kim has all but secured a spot in the Tour Championship, which is open only to the top 30 in the FedEx Cup standings. He also shared his thoughts on the format. "Unlike in the past, all 30 players now start from the same position, so even a lower-ranked player can win," he said. "I think that makes it fairer."

Kim gave himself a 9 out of 10 for the season, crediting work he put in before the campaign began. "Heading into this season, I tried a wide variety of shots and shot shapes," he said. "That has allowed me to play defensively or aggressively when attacking a course, depending on the situation."

Kim has not won since the Sony Open in January 2023, his fourth career PGA Tour title, leaving him without a victory for more than three years. Despite a strong surge this season, three runner-up finishes have kept him off the winner's podium.

"My goal is to win at least once every year, so not having a win since 2023 is something I feel a lot of regret and frustration about," he said. "Still, I feel like I've been playing consistently well, so I don't let it stress me out too much."

He made clear he has no intention of letting the final opportunities slip by. "There are only two tournaments left this season where I can win, and on top of that they're playoff events with very strong fields, so it won't be easy," he said. "Still, if I keep playing my game consistently, I think my chance will come."

Kim also credited world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler of the United States, his neighbor, for helping him improve. Kim said he played golf with Scheffler nearly every week during the offseason. "I asked him a lot of questions about shots I had been struggling with," Kim said. "Then I went out on the course and worked on making those things my own."