The Masters 2023: Can anyone break the rookie curse?

Can Joohyung ‘Tom’ Kim become the first rookie since 1979 to win The Masters?

The plight of the Masters rookie is a well-known struggle. Not since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 has a debutant walked away with the Green Jacket. This year 16 players will attempt to break the curse. We spoke to two of them.

Today’s Golfer’s 2023 Major coverage is brought to you in association with TaylorMade.

Joohyung ‘Tom’ Kim is living his best life. Still only 20, he is the talk of the PGA Tour right now, the latest member of the Nike family, and the “next global star’, according to Trevor Immelman, the International Team’s captain at the recent Presidents Cup.

It was there that Kim’s star shone brightest, opening everyone’s eyes to his infectious personality and game that has already seen him win 11 times since turning pro at the age of 15. 

In October, he became the second-youngest player in history to win twice on the PGA Tour, even younger than Tiger. It seems laughable to suggest that he was once better known for his childhood fascination with Thomas the Tank Engine, from whom his nickname derives, but now everybody wants to come aboard the Tom Kim Fan Club because of his incredible rise to stardom.

The South Korean is simply enjoying the ride.

Joohyung ‘Tom’ Kim: “The Masters is something I’ve looked forward to my whole life”

The Masters is going to be special. My first Open, the 150th at St Andrews, is hard to beat but the Masters is something I’ve looked forward to my whole life. 

To see my name on such a historic invitation, it’s something I will definitely remember for a long time. Because it’s the first one, I am going to frame it and stick it up somewhere in the house, just because of how special the Masters is to me and how much I’ve always wanted to play it.

I have exceeded my own expectations because I was just trying to get on the Korn Ferry Tour last year. I then got to the main tour right away, which was a big achievement for me, and won the Wyndham Championship a few weeks later. I knew then I was going to get into the Presidents Cup, which was unbelievable, and then I won on my first week out again. I’m now thinking, how much more can I do? And what do I need to achieve those goals. I am ambitious.

Winning for the second time on the PGA Tour was definitely harder, but probably more rewarding. Sometimes the first one just kind of happens, you don’t really expect it. But once you’ve won once, you realise how hard it is to win again as your expectations go up. That’s why winning twice in such a short space of time was so big for me. It’s opened a lot of doors for me.

After the Players, I’m planning on going to Augusta for a few days, just to shake off all the excitement. The first trip is just me soaking it all in. I really want to try the chip Tiger hit on the 16th green. That was so historic. I’ve literally watched that a gazillion times! I can’t wait to see specific holes because I’ve watched the Masters so many times on TV.

I would love to be in contention on Sunday. I don’t want to get ahead of myself because I know a rookie hasn’t won there since 1979. To break that run would be special, really special. But I’ve just got to get better because good golf takes care of everything. 

I grew up playing all around the world, in places like Australia, the Philippines and Thailand, so I’ve had to adjust to all different types of courses. I think it’s made me a better all-round player. I think it helps me when I come to the US because every week the grasses are different. It’s definitely helped me to develop my game.

I think the course sets up well to my eye. I like the way it is designed. Good ball-striking is rewarded at Augusta and I do like courses and play well on courses which really challenge you to hit your targets. Of course, you also need things to go your way a little bit, but I do think if I can play my own game and keep my head down, I will have a chance.

I’m trying not to get too far ahead of myself. I had two wins last year so if can better that, that would be great. But I don’t know all the courses yet. I haven’t played any of the Major venues this year. I’ve got to adjust but I can lean on my caddie, Joe Skovron. He used to work with Rickie Fowler and he takes off the stress of practice rounds. He’s making my life a lot easier and we’ve built a special relationship.

I’ve still got so much to learn and improve on. I feel like I am a consistent player but compared to Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy, if they are not winning they are still finishing inside the top five, top 10. Stuff like that I need to get better at. Also, skill wise – like physically and mentally – I still need to grow and get the experience. A lot of these guys I’m up against have been out here for years and years. I’m still only 20. This is still my first year playing in America.

When Adrian Meronk tracked down Tiger Woods at St Andrews and asked for a photo, he had no idea he would be playing a nine-hole practice round with his childhood hero 24 hours later. The pinch-me moment is one of several the 6ft 6in star has had since he became the first Polish player to win on the DP World Tour, at the Irish Open last July.

He beat Adam Scott by five to win the Australian Open in December and was part of the triumphant Continental team at the Hero Cup. Such has been his meteoric rise, a place aboard the Ryder Cup plane to Italy is already on the 29-year-old’s mind, as is snatching one of the 10 PGA Tour cards that will be available on the DP World Tour this season.

He’s already had his first taste of tour life in America at the Bermuda Championship in October and now he’s gearing up for his biggest test yet at a place he’s been dreaming of ever since he was a kid…

Adrian Meronk: “Receiving my Masters invite was the best Christmas present ever!”

I never expected to be playing at Augusta this year. Everything happened really quick after my win in Australia. When my Masters invite arrived one day before Christmas, I was over the moon. It was probably the best Christmas present I’ve ever received.

I used to play Augusta quite a bit on the PlayStation and on the simulator, but I’ve never played there in person. When I was 18 years old, I played the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley Golf Club, which is not far from Augusta. I remember standing outside Augusta thinking at one point in my career, I want to come back and compete in the Masters. It’s going to be a dream come true. 

When I played the Hero Cup, Jose Maria Olazabal was there and I asked if I could play nine holes with him at Augusta. He agreed so hopefully on the Tuesday I will get the chance. It’s going to be tougher for me playing the event for the first time, not knowing the course too well. But if I play my best golf for four days, I know I can compete at the highest level. I just hope I have my A game.

My first goal is to make it to the weekend. But I would be happy making the top 20. Because it’s such a small field, it’s a big opportunity to make a name for myself and for more people to see me worldwide. Ultimately, my goal is to play on the PGA Tour, so I hope this will be the first step in the right direction.

I achieved all my goals last year. I wanted to win on Tour. I wanted to break into the world’s Top 50 and finish in the top 10 on the Race to Dubai. I did all that. Getting into the Masters was like a bonus for me, so I want to continue the good form and be ready for what comes in April.

I played the best golf of my life in Australia. The last three rounds were flawless. My form right now is still very solid. In the off season, I’ve been working really hard on my wedge play and short game. That was always my weakness and now it is becoming my strength. 

After I won the Irish Open, I had a couple of months without a top-20 finish. A lot of people were saying, “Was it a fluke?” So to win in Australia against such a strong field was really special and that gave me a lot of belief in myself that I am capable of winning on any continent and of beating the best players.

When I first came out on tour, I would get really stressed and nervous playing with the top guys. Whereas now my confidence is way higher. I feel like I belong there now. 

I had an amazing experience playing in the Hero Cup. It’s made me hungry for the Ryder Cup, but my big focus is on the Race to Dubai and finishing high enough in the rankings to earn my PGA Tour card. I am also in the field for three Majors for the first time in my career, so this is a really exciting time for me.

MORE FROM THE MASTERS:
– Full field and how they qualified
– How to watch and listen to the Masters.
– How you can play Augusta
– Everything the champion wins
– With anonymity guaranteed, the caddies reveal all about Augusta

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About the author



Michael Catling
Today’s Golfer Features Editor

Michael Catling is Today’s Golfer‘s Features Editor and an award-winning journalist who specializes in golf’s Majors and Tours, including DP World, PGA, LPGA, and LIV.

Michael joined Today’s Golfer in 2016 and has traveled the world to attend the game’s biggest events and secure exclusive interviews with dozens of Major champions, including Jack Nicklaus, Jordan Spieth, Tom Watson, Greg Norman, Gary Player, and Justin Thomas.

A former member of Ufford Park and Burghley Park, Michael has been playing golf since he was 11 and currently plays off a handicap of 10.

Away from golf he’s a keen amateur chef and has his own healthy recipes website. He also loves playing squash, going to the gym, and following Chelsea FC.

Michael uses a Ping G driver, Ping G 3-wood, Ping G Crossover 3-iron, Ping G Series irons (4-PW), Ping Glide wedges (52º, 56º, 60º), TaylorMade MySpider Tour Putter, and Srixon AD333 golf ball.

Get in touch with Michael via email and follow him on Twitter.