Kim Si-woo finishes second in CJ Cup Byron Nelson as Wyndham Clark surges...

Kim Si-woo finishes second in CJ Cup Byron Nelson as Wyndham Clark surges to victory

Published: 25 May. 2026, 09:19

Golf player Kim Si-woo plays a shot from the second tee during the final round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson 2026 at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, on May 24. [AFP/YONHAP]

McKinney, TEXAS — Kim Si-woo, one of Korea's most reliable forces in men's professional golf, was denied a fifth PGA Tour victory on Sunday, as Wyndham Clark produced a stunning final-round charge to claim the CJ Cup Byron Nelson title.

Kim had led going into the last day and continued to play well, carding seven birdies and one bogey for a round of 66 at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas — a par-71 layout of 6.75 kilometers (7,382 yards). But it was not enough. Clark, the American 2023 U.S. Open champion, recorded one eagle and nine birdies to shoot an 11-under 60, overtaking Kim by three shots to finish at 30-under-par 230. Kim finished at 27-under-par 257 in second place.

The result means that Kim's victory drought — that stretches back to the Sony Open in January 2023 — has continued for longer than three years. It also ends any chance of a Korean player becoming the first to win the CJ Cup in its current Byron Nelson format, launched in 2017.

Kim Si-woo putts on the sixth green during the final round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson 2026 at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, on May 24. [AFP/YONHAP]

Kim had paired with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler for the final round and made a fast start. He wedged to within 2.5 meters (2.7 yards) of the pin on the par-4 second hole to set up a birdie, then followed that with three consecutive birdies on the par-5 fifth, the par-4 sixth and the par-3 seventh, keeping his title hopes very much alive.

However, momentum shifted on the par-4 eighth. A 14-meter birdie putt ran well past the hole, and when he missed the par putt as well, he dropped a shot. Trouble continued on the par-5 ninth, during which his second shot found the penalty area beside the green. Kim managed to salvage par with a putt of just over three meters, but the opportunity to extend his lead over Clark — who was one shot back at that stage — slipped away.

The back nine became a straight contest between the two. Clark pulled level at 24-under with a birdie on the par-4 11th, and Kim responded with a birdie on the same hole to move back ahead. But Clark then made an eagle on the par-five 12th to take the outright lead before adding birdies on the par-4 14th and par-3 15th to reach 28-under. Kim clawed one back with a birdie at the 14th, keeping himself in contention.

In the end, however, Clark converted a crucial birdie on the par-3 17th and sealed the win with another birdie on the par-4 18th. Kim, by then three adrift, finished the closing hole with a par.

Kim Si-woo hits off the ninth tee during the final round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson 2026 golf tournament in McKinney, Texas, on May 24. [AP/YONHAP]

Despite letting a victory slip from his grasp, Kim cut a remarkably composed figure after his runner-up finish.

“There is nothing I can do against someone shooting 11-under," he told reporters with a smile. “I've never putted this well when I'm in contention. I'm taking that as a positive.”

The result adds to what has already been a career-best season for the 30-year-old. In 15 tournaments so far, he has finished runner-up twice and recorded seven top-10 finishes. His FedEx Cup points standing heading into this week was ninth.

Kim credited those around him with helping to change his mindset.

“Before, I didn't know if I was actually a good player,” he said. “But the people around me, my peers, kept telling me that I was doing well, so I started to change the way in which I think about myself. My confidence has grown a lot; as I go forward, I will continue to believe in myself.”

While gracious about his defeat, Kim made clear his ambitions remain firmly intact. “Today's result is disappointing, but finishing second on the PGA Tour — which is such a fiercely competitive tour — is not easy either,” he said. “I will work on the areas in which I still fall short and make sure that I win again.”

Golf player Kim Si-woo reacts after making a birdie on the seventh green during the final round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson 2026 at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, on May 24. [YONHAP]

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

BY KO BONG-JUN. [

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