PGA Star Michael Kim Credits Cal Golf Legacy for His Tour Comeback
From national player of the year to social media favorite, the former Golden Bear is blending elite performance with authentic fan connection.
Michael Kim’s impressive resurgence on the PGA Tour isn’t just about his scorecard; it’s about reconnecting with the core values he learned at Cal and sharing his journey with a growing fan base.
After years of struggle that included losing his Tour card following his first and only title at the 2018 John Deere Classic, Kim has found his form. His 2025 season has been marked by five consecutive top-15 finishes and a return to the Masters Tournament, propelling him into the top-30 of the FedEx Cup standings.
“It felt containable. Like I have a real foundation to build on,” Kim said of his recent success, which he attributes to years of deliberate progress and a key chipping lesson earlier in the year.
The Foundation Built at Cal
Kim traces his breakthrough back to his time at the University of California, Berkeley, in the early 2010s. Alongside future PGA Tour star Max Homa, Kim was part of the 2012-13 Cal men’s golf team that made NCAA history by winning 12 tournaments, an NCAA record.
Kim himself was the nation’s No. 1-ranked college golfer and won the prestigious Haskins Award (national player of the year).
“I feel like I improved more in those two years at Cal than at any other time in my life,” Kim reflected.
That culture of intense improvement was driven by Cal Athletics Hall of Fame coach Steve Desimone, who fostered an “iron-sharpens-iron” environment. Desimone instilled discipline (like an absolute hatred for tardiness) but also gave his players the freedom to structure their own practice, teaching maturity and responsibility.
“You learn a lot of life skills through a guy like Coach Des,” Kim said.
The Power of Connection
Parallel to his athletic comeback, Kim has become a fan favorite on social media (X, formerly Twitter), sharing authentic behind-the-scenes insights, tournament thoughts, and mental health reflections.
This interactive approach, partly inspired by his former teammate Max Homa, has been key to building a stronger community. Kim sees it as a response to the current fan demand for transparency, citing the popularity of shows like Netflix’s ‘Full Swing.’
Kim actively gives back, including offering free tournament tickets through social media giveaways. After a recent runner-up finish at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, a couple approached him not for an autograph, but to thank him for the tickets he’d given them.
“It takes five, ten minutes for me to sort out,” Kim noted. “But for them, it might be a memory they carry forever.”
That spirit of connection—cultivated by strong bonds with his Cal teammates and a respect for mentorship—is what powers Michael Kim’s success today, reminding fans that his Tour resurgence is built firmly on his NCAA foundation.