Grace Kim knows the feeling now. The scrutiny, the expectation, the quiet assumption that when she tees it up at a major, she’s there to contend.
A year on from her breakthrough at the Amundi Evian Championship, the Sydneysider arrives at this week’s Chevron Championship as a proven winner of big titles.
With that comes a shift; it isn’t overwhelming pressure, but a greater sense of responsibility that follows major champions wherever they go.
“Once I get there, I’ll definitely feel the pressure, but I guess it’s just like any other tournament. We are at a new golf course this year, so I think everyone’s kind of starting from scratch,” Kim tells Golf Australia magazine.
“The field is quite deep nowadays, so it is anyone’s ballgame. I guess we’ll find out when we get there.”
As always with Kim, it is a calm and measured outlook; one which reflects both her current standing in the game and the reality of a women’s field that is arguably as deep as it has ever been in the history of the sport. The objective for the Avondale product is detailed preparation.
The move to a new venue for the Chevron has only sharpened her focus. Without past experience to lean on, preparation comes down to the lead-up and her practice rounds.
Keen golf fans would’ve read the inspiring story of Gary Woodland’s comeback win on the PGA Tour at the Texas Children’s Open earlier this year. That victory came at Memorial Park, where the Chevron will head for the first time.
“I’m gonna be able to take more time during practice rounds and make sure I spend more time on the golf course than I do on the range,” says Kim.
“We were actually watching the coverage for the men’s [PGA Tour event] a couple of weeks ago; we’re trying to take notes and see how they played it.
“But I think the rough’s meant to be a little less dense compared to the men’s. So, things like that; just keeping notes, making sure I do take my time, chip a bit more or putt a bit more.
“Being very detailed with my practice round.”
The scoring blueprint is built on observation and instinct, with the understanding that it may shift once she arrives.
“I think from what I’ve taken from watching the men’s a few weeks ago, for them, they do hit it longer, but they were able to make some low scores because there are so many gettable holes.
“It seems like there were some reachable par 4s, some reachable par 5s as well.
“I’ll only get to see it once I get there.
“The setup could be totally different. So again, I’ll probably just have to wait it out.”
Her lead-in has followed a familiar rhythm. Time in Texas, a tie for 28th at the LA Championship last week, before a quick turnaround into Houston for the year’s first major.
It is a schedule that, following her major win, is more flexible: the five-year LPGA Tour exemption she received gives her job security and the option to pick and choose where and when she plays. With security comes flexibility, and Kim has begun shaping her year with majors in mind.
“I think as my career goes on, if anything, I’m actually finding ways to go home a bit more,” says Kim.
“I was tossing and turning as to whether I should get a house here or not, but in the end, I think most Aussies are known to go home when we can, and I think that’s just the beauty of being able to go home, especially a one-way flight from Dallas to Sydney direct.
“I’ve been lucky enough where I am now set for my next few years that I can pick and choose my schedule a little bit, so then I can build around majors.”
As for her form, Kim is content, but admits there are a few work-ons.
“I think it’s okay,” says Kim.
“Golf, you just always have something to work on, which is kind of frustrating,” she laughs.
“It seems we just have to tidy up a few things. I had my coach out with me in Vegas last week, so he was able to spend half a week during an off week, as well as leading into a tournament.
“He’s kind of seen where I can work on a few things. I think it’s fine, but I obviously always want to do a bit more, a bit better.
“So grinding,” she states simply.
The priorities are her setup, distance control, and putting.
“It’s funny because I felt good over my ball at setup, and then the next week I feel really twisted,” says Kim.
“Things like that, making sure I have my baseline right, and then tidying up my distance wedges, and hopefully holing a few more putts.”
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