On June 22, Korean time, Kim played the final round at the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, where he carded four birdies and four bogeys for an even-par 70.
With a total score of 1-under 279, Kim finished in third place, following Wyndham Clark, who won with a total of 4-under 276, and Sam Burns, who took second with 3-under 277 (both from the U.S.).
This achievement is particularly significant for Kim, who recently experienced a lengthy slump. He has three career wins on the PGA Tour but only managed to finish in the top 10 once in 26 tournaments last year. This year, his only top 10 finish in 14 tournaments prior to this event was a tie for sixth at the Myrtle Beach Classic in May.
Notably, Kim struggled to secure a spot in this year's U.S. Open due to his poor performance last year, but he fought through local qualifiers to earn his place in the main event and achieved his personal best this season.
His third-place finish also marks his best result at the U.S. Open, surpassing his previous best of a tie for eighth in 2023. Last year, he finished tied for 33rd.
Additionally, this is Kim's first top-five finish in an official PGA Tour event since losing to Scottie Scheffler in a playoff at the 2023 Travelers Championship.
The trophy for the 126th U.S. Open was awarded to Clark, who claimed his second U.S. Open title three years after his first. Clark achieved a wire-to-wire victory, leading throughout the tournament, and secured his fifth career win on the PGA Tour. He earned a winner's prize of $4.5 million (approximately 69 billion won).
Scottie Scheffler, who aimed for the first career Golden Grand Slam in men's golf history, finished tied for fourth with an even-par total of 280.
Im Sung-jae, who competed alongside Kim, struggled on the final day, losing five strokes to finish with a total of 8-over 288, placing him tied for 43rd.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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