What does it take to win a PGA Tour event by eight shots? For Michael Kim, the answer came at the 2018 John Deere Classic, where he produced a tournament-record 27-under-par total of 257. This Michael Kim Biography covers the Korean-American golfer’s age, birthplace, hometown, education, wife, children, parents and key career achievements as of 2026.
Michael Kim Biography: Quick Facts
| Name | Michael Sangwon Kim |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | June 30, 1993 |
| Age in 2026 | 32 until June 29, 2026; turns 33 on June 30, 2026 |
| Birthplace | Seoul, South Korea |
| Nationality | American, of South Korean heritage |
| Hometown / upbringing | San Diego County, California |
| High school | Torrey Pines High School, San Diego, California |
| College | University of California, Berkeley |
| Turned professional | 2013 |
| PGA Tour victory | 2018 John Deere Classic |
Where Is Michael Kim From?
Michael Kim was born in Seoul, South Korea, on June 30, 1993. He moved to the United States as a child and was raised in the San Diego area of Southern California. His development as a junior golfer is closely connected to Torrey Pines High School, a school located near one of America’s best-known public golf destinations, Torrey Pines Golf Course.
Although Seoul is his birthplace, San Diego County is widely regarded as Michael Kim’s golfing hometown because it was where he developed his game, competed as a junior and attended high school.
Michael Kim’s College Golf Career
Kim attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he became one of the most accomplished college golfers in the nation. His standout 2012-13 season included winning the NCAA Division I individual championship.
During that same remarkable college season, Kim earned major player-of-the-year honors, including the Jack Nicklaus Award, the Ben Hogan Award and the Haskins Award. These achievements placed him among the top amateur golfers in the United States before he turned professional in 2013.
Professional Golf Career and PGA Tour Win
Michael Kim began his professional career in 2013 and worked through developmental tours before earning PGA Tour opportunities. His defining breakthrough came at the 2018 John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.
Kim finished at 27-under par, shooting 257 over 72 holes. He won by eight strokes, one of the largest winning margins on the PGA Tour that season. The performance gave him his first PGA Tour title and secured a place in the following season’s major championships.
After facing a difficult stretch that included losing his PGA Tour status, Kim rebuilt his career on the Korn Ferry Tour. In 2022, he won twice on that circuit and earned his way back to the PGA Tour. His return demonstrated the consistency and resilience that have become important parts of the Michael Kim golf story.
Michael Kim Wife and Children
Michael Kim is married, and his wife is commonly identified in golf biography sources as Kelsey. However, Kim and his family maintain a relatively private life compared with many high-profile professional athletes.
Publicly verified information about Michael Kim’s children, including their names and exact number, is limited. He has shared occasional references to family life, but he does not regularly make his children a central part of his public profile. For that reason, claims about their names, birthdays or other personal details should be treated cautiously unless confirmed directly by Kim or an official PGA Tour source.
Michael Kim Parents and Family Background
Michael Kim’s parents are of South Korean background, but their names and professional lives have not been widely published in official golf records. His family played an important role in his move from South Korea to the United States and his early development in California, yet Kim has kept most parent and family information private.
This privacy is common among PGA Tour players who prefer to keep attention on tournament performance rather than relatives who do not have public careers.
Key Facts About Michael Kim
- Born in Seoul, South Korea, on June 30, 1993.
- Raised in the San Diego, California, area.
- Attended Torrey Pines High School.
- Won the 2013 NCAA Division I individual title for Cal Berkeley.
- Turned professional in 2013.
- Won the 2018 John Deere Classic by eight strokes at 27-under par.
- Regained PGA Tour status after a successful 2022 Korn Ferry Tour season.
Michael Kim Biography Summary
Michael Kim is a Seoul-born, San Diego-raised professional golfer whose journey includes elite college success, a record-setting PGA Tour victory and a determined return to the sport’s top level. At age 32 for most of 2026, Kim remains known for his analytical approach, strong ball-striking and candid golf commentary. While details about Michael Kim’s wife, children and parents are intentionally limited, his competitive record provides a clear picture of a player who has repeatedly earned his place among professional golf’s most resilient competitors.
