by Thomas Fenner ’24

Sherwood graduate Bryan Kim made his mark on the golf world in July when he won the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. Headlined by some of the best young golfers in the world, Kim became the second lowest-seeded competitor (#52) to win the Championship since Charlie Beljian (#56) back in 2002. The nationally televised event has put some of the game’s greatest golfers on the map. Kim adds his name to the illustrious list of past winners, including golfers who went on to compete in and win “Majors” such as the Masters.

Kim, who graduated from Sherwood this past June, had a legendary career as a Warrior, leading the school’s golf team to a second-place finish in states last fall. Individually, Kim was stellar in the state of Maryland, finishing second. Additionally, Kim was named to the 2022 Fall All-Met first-team by the Washington Post.

In the Junior U.S. Open that took place over six days this past July, Kim was a severe underdog going into stroke play but displayed an impressive performance and earned himself a spot in the final of the match play round. Kim went head-to-head against Australian golfer Joshua Bai in the 36-hole final. The two outstanding young competitors went back and forth in the match. Kim finally outlasted Bai over a long day and claimed victory as Bai conceded the championship on the final hole.

“I try to play matchplay and stroke play the same. Usually, if you beat your opponent, you will probably beat them in the match. Just one shot at a time and play good golf,” said Kim. “I just tried my best to stay in the moment. It was a long week, but so was it for all my other competitors, so just staying present might’ve given me an edge over my opponents.”

Kim, who now plays golf collegiately at Duke, received the gold medal and ownership of the Junior Amateur trophy for a year. Kim also earned an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort and Country Clubs in North Carolina. There, he will play with professional golfers who are the biggest names in the sport.  

The Junior Amateur Championship is just a stepping stone to a bright future for Kim and his career as a golfer. Kim will play Division I golf for the next four years while competing in various professional and amateur tournaments at the same time. 

“It just gives me a lot of confidence that I’m on the right path, and if I keep working at it, hopefully, I can be as successful,” Kim said. “Putting my name next to all those guys like [Tiger] Woods, [Jordan] Spieth, and [Scottie] Scheffler, it’s really cool.”