English teenager Kris Kim became the youngest player to make the PGA Tour in 11 years after a last-place birdie allowed him to reach the weekend’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas with a shot to spare.
Amateur Kim, the son of former LPGA player Ji-Hyun Suh, shot a four-under-par 67 in the second round, with a run of five birdies and one bogey on his front nine.
At 16 years and seven months, he became the youngest player to tour since 14-year-old Guan Tianlang at the 2013 Masters, and the fifth youngest in history, according to the PGA Tour.
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“I’m happy. I can’t wait to get back to work tomorrow,” said Kim, a junior member at Walton Heath in Surrey, whose total of seven under him left him joint 36th. I enjoyed it so much for days and being here for two more days makes it so much more fun.”
Of his birdie on the final hole, he said: “To be honest, because it’s a par five, it’s quite useful, but yeah, there’s always going to be nerves when you’re on the edge.”
Kim’s compatriot Matt Wallace lost his lead overnight despite a 66th in the second round – highlighted by an eagle after driving the 324-yard par-four 14th – dropping him to 13 under.
Former nightclub bouncer Jake Knapp took the top spot with a one-stroke lead after eight birdies in a round of 64. Texas native Jordan Spieth, the highest-ranked player in the field at world No. 20, missed his fourth cut in six tournaments after a one-over 70 left him at four under.