Im Sung-jae: 'We lean on each other and grow closer'

Kim Joo-hyung: 'I'll bring energy to the team'

Kim Si-woo, who will compete at the 2026 Presidents Cup [PGA Tour]
Kim Si-woo, who will compete at the 2026 Presidents Cup [PGA Tour]

PGA Tour player Kim Si-woo has set an ambitious goal for the Presidents Cup: win all five of his matches. Im Sung-jae and Kim Joo-hyung are also rallying around tight teamwork as the International Team bids to end a 28-year title drought.

The Presidents Cup, pitting the United States against the International Team, runs Thursday through Sunday at Medinah Country Club's Course No. 3 (par 70, 7,548 yards) in Chicago, Illinois.

Three South Korean players — Kim Si-woo, Im Sung-jae and Kim Joo-hyung — are among the 12 members of the International Team. It is the fourth Presidents Cup appearance for Kim Si-woo and Im, and the third for Kim Joo-hyung.

Of the three, Kim Si-woo made the boldest declaration ahead of the tournament. "What I'm most looking forward to is earning points," he said. "I'd love to play in all five matches and take all five points. If I can do that, it would be a huge help to the team."

The International Team has a dismal all-time Presidents Cup record against the United States, winning just once against 13 losses and one tie. Their only victory came in Melbourne, Australia, in 1998. A win this week would reclaim the trophy for the first time in 28 years.

Kim Si-woo identified early momentum as the key to victory. "At the last Presidents Cup, we got swept on the first day, but then we turned around and swept them on the second day," he said. "This time, we need to build that kind of momentum over the first two days. It's important to play with confidence and take control of the flow as quickly as possible."

He also stressed the importance of fighting for teammates rather than just for oneself, as in individual play. "My teammates believe in each other, and I believe in them too," Kim Si-woo said. "There's no quitting or turning back halfway through. You have to keep giving everything you have until the last putt drops."

Having three Korean players on the same team is also a source of strength for Kim Si-woo. "You have to be playing well to earn a spot on a team like this, so I'm really happy that the three of us are here together," he said. "We're all working hard to show Korean fans the best we've got."

Im Sung-jae (left) and Kim Joo-hyung [PGA Tour]
Im Sung-jae (left) and Kim Joo-hyung [PGA Tour]

Im Sung-jae echoed the theme of trust and unity. "Kim Si-woo and Kim Joo-hyung have known each other for a long time and are close friends, so being on the same team at the Presidents Cup makes us lean on each other even more and brings us closer together," he said.

"Golf is an individual sport, so we rarely get the chance to compete as a team," Im added. "This week, all 12 of us are one team, and we play by trusting and relying on one another. The most rewarding moment is when you bring a point home for the team."

The youngest of the three, Kim Joo-hyung, shared the same outlook. "I'm not just playing for myself — I'm playing for my teammates," he said. "The sense of camaraderie you feel within the team is what makes this tournament special."

"I take pride in still being the youngest player on the team," he added. "I definitely see myself as someone who brings energy to the team. When I earn points and show my emotions, that energy spreads to everyone around me."

Ultimately, all three players are focused on the same goal: trust one another, seize the momentum from the opening sessions and pile up the points the team needs. Kim Joo-hyung put it plainly: "We need to come together as one team, get off to a good start, build momentum and keep that going."

Kim Si-woo holds a career Presidents Cup record of 6-5, Im is 6-7-2 and Kim Joo-hyung is 3-5-1. All eyes are on whether the three South Koreans, playing in close concert, can lead the International Team to the title it has long been waiting for.


yjc@heraldcorp.com