Every golfer has an idol or idols that they strive to learn from, drawing inspiration from their techniques, strategies, and mental approaches to the game. For some, it’s a legendary player like Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus, while for others, it’s a contemporary star like Rory McIlroy or Justin Thomas. By studying their idols’s games, golfers aim to incorporate new skills and mindsets into their own play, ultimately improving their performance and reaching new heights.

This was evident in the latest episode of Golf’s Subpar on Apple Podcast, where Si Woo Kim shares his admiration for playing alongside McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, and Scottie Scheffler. Kim’s motivation isn’t about friendship but rather a desire to learn from the best. “I like, love to learn from them and if we play together, I can catch something they do good like a special shot I can watch,” Kim reveals, highlighting the value of learning from idols in the pursuit of golfing excellence.

Kim recalls his first time playing with McIlroy, feeling intimidated and thinking he had “no chance” against the Northern Irish star. “If 1 on 1, I got to no chance,” he jokes. Kim even says he felt like quitting after getting outdriven by 50 yards, admitting, “I feel like so poor like he drives me out 50 yards.” He also shares a memorable moment from their round together at Pebble Beach, where he saw McIlroy sink an incredible eagle, describing the shot as, “That’s crazy. I hit driver and between 4 and 5, I hit the five and straight pole. I don’t know. I feel like it’s hard.”

But what was the crazy shot? Well, at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Rory McIlroy unleashed a monster 339-yard drive on the 14th hole, leaving him just a 7-iron approach to the green. He then hit a 221-yard shot to 27 feet and sunk the eagle putt, pulling three strokes ahead with four holes remaining and essentially sealing his two-shot victory. “I played one time with Rory, like i feel so bad after that. I wanna quit this; I’m so bad,” he said.

Despite feeling in awe of McIlroy’s skills, Kim’s humility and willingness to learn from others are traits that have undoubtedly contributed to his own success on the course. And he has quite the syllabus laid out for him even when we only consider McIlroy’s extraordinary moments.

Rory McIlroy’s amazing history of epic shots

Well, this isn’t the first time McIlroy has left the fans stunned with amazing control on his golfing gear. The four-time major winner has a history of making incredible shots, and his hole-in-one achievements are no exception. His first professional ace came in 2015 at the Abu Dhabi Championship, where he perfectly hit a 9-iron shot from 177 yards out. The ball spun right towards the hole and smoothly went in, leaving everyone in awe. Even fellow golfer Rickie Fowler congratulated him on his achievement. What’s remarkable about this shot is that it showcased McIlroy’s precision and skill, even at a young age. He was just 25 years old at the time, and this ace was a testament to his growing talent.

McIlroy’s subsequent ace was just as impressive. In 2023, he recorded his first PGA Tour ace at the Travelers Championship, where he shot a perfect trajectory from 218 yards out. This shot was a masterclass in technique and strategy, demonstrating McIlroy’s ability to read the course and execute under pressure. His reaction to the ace was also notable—he casually tossed the ball to a spectator, showing that he’s not one to get too sentimental about his achievements. As McIlroy himself said, “I’m not sentimental; I don’t care. I’d rather have trophies than golf balls.” This mindset has clearly served him well, as he continues to rack up impressive wins and achievements throughout his career. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comment section below!