Is Kris Kim the Youngest to Make the PGA Tour Cut? Top 5 Players to Achieve This Insane Feat Explored

It was the 18th hole of the day for Kris Kim on Thursday. The golfer made his tee shot at the par-5, 9th, and went ahead to make an eagle on the same during his PGA Tour debut at TPC Craig Ranch. Little did he know that a day later, he would make the cut, becoming the fifth youngest player to do so on the PGA Tour.

Fifth? Well, that means four others were also able to make the cut when they were much younger than the amateur golfer at an event on the men’s circuit. Suffice it to say, it is natural for the community to become curious about the top players, including Kim, who accomplished this feat in the gentleman’s game!

Youngest golfers along with Kris Kim, who made the cut

5. Kris Kim: At 16 years, 7 months, and 3 days, the young English athlete managed to carve his name into the annals of history. He did so by registering a score of 68-67 over the two days of play, all thanks to the 11 birdies and an eagle he carded out during the same. Meanwhile, he was able to surpass Jordan Spieth, the current No.20 in the OWGR, on both the field and the history books since the American had held the record of being the youngest to make a cut at the Byron Nelson back in 2010 when he finished T16 with a score of 4-under 276.

Coming back to Kim, he was visibly exhilarated for the same. “I’m happy,” said the golfer before continuing, “I can’t wait to get started again tomorrow.” The young amateur will have to ready himself for the rest of the two days of play that await him on the course. Interestingly enough, it seems he was, in fact, looking forward to it; “I’ve enjoyed it so much the last couple days, and being here two more days makes it so much sweeter.”

4. Justin Thomas: The 2-time major champ, when he was just 16 years, two months, and 23 days old, took his PGA Tour debut as an amateur, the 2009 Wyndham Championship. Although Ryan Moore ended up winning the event, all eyes were on Thomas, who finished T78 while scoring a bogey-free first round of 65.

However, come round 2, the then-young American couldn’t keep up the scintillating performance that he was able to dish out in the first round, finishing two-over par for the day with an overall score of 3-under. True, he was amazing, but show him the video now of his own interview back then and he might have a different opinion; “I’ve seen it. I don’t want to watch it. It’s so cringeworthy. I sound like such a loser. I just can’t even watch this. I can’t do it.” But even so, he has clearly left his mark on the game.

3. Tadd Fujikawa: Just four days after his sweet 16, Fujikawa participated and made the cut at the 2007 Sony Open. The Honolulu native then went ahead to tie for 20th amongst the field of professionals and then turned pro later the same year. Moreover, his achievements put him at the top of the list of young players to achieve the feat in the last 50 years.

He sunk an eagle on the 18th hole at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu on the second round to stylishly enter the moving day with a score of 66. Following the same, Fujikawa carded a third round-66 which had him tied for eighth while heading to Sunday. “I can’t even breathe right now, I’m so excited,” exclaimed the athlete before adding how making the cut was nothing short of an “awesome thing for me(sic) right now.” Surely, the whole golf world agrees!

2. Bob Panasik: It was the 1957 Canadian Open. Enter a talented golfer at the age of 15 years, eight months, and 20 days; none other than Panasik. The Canadian athlete then went ahead to shoot a par-71 in his debut round after which he made the cut at the tournament the following day.

Although Panasik could only finish T64 on the final day, he claimed the title of being the youngest to move on to the moving day at a PGA Tour event, a record that would remain unbeaten for the next 56 years. Truly a golfer worthy of being inducted into the PGA of Canada Hall of Fame.

1. Tianlang Guan: Almost six decades after Panasik achieved his feat, came amateur golfer Guan Tianlang, aged 14 years, five months, and 18 days, who made his debut at the 2013 Masters Tournament. Sure enough, the Chinese golfer made the cut at the major championship and even finished the contest holding the title of the low amateur.

Although he was penalized for slow play during the major, gaining a shot as a result, Guan finished T58 with a score of 12-over par 300 by dishing out six birdies, 48 pars, and a total of 18 bogeys. “It’s still a wonderful experience for me,” responded the then-14-year-old before adding, “I have the two days so far and I think I did a pretty good job.”

Well, he sure did a pretty good job of making the cut. Not just him but all the golfers mentioned in the list to which Kris Kim became a part. Regardless of how the rest in the list ended their performance, many in the golfing world would surely want Kim to finish on the top of the leaderboard.