Michael Kim becomes first American in 53 years to win Open de France on DP World Tour
Cameron Jourdan- Michael Kim became the first American in 53 years to win the Open de France on the DP World Tour.
- Kim secured his victory with a 16-foot par putt on the final hole, finishing at 16 under.
- This marks Kim's first worldwide win in seven years and his first on the DP World Tour.
Walter Hagen. Byron Nelson. Barry Jaeckel.
Those are the names of the three American men who previously won the Open de France on the DP World Tour, and Jaeckel was the latest to do so in 1972. After a brilliant performance Sunday, Michael Kim added his name to the list.
The 32-year-old American won his first DP World Tour event Sunday with a clutch 16-foot par putt on the closing par-3 Sunday at Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Breteche in Paris. It's his first worldwide win in seven years, and he's the first American to win the French national open in 53 years.
"It feels amazing. I really wanted to put on a good showing here this week," Kim said. "So happy and grateful to come out with a victory.
"I've had a really good year on the PGA Tour. This feels like the perfect cherry on top."
Kim, who has one PGA Tour win under his belt at the 2018 John Deere Classic and is ranked 64th in the world, finished at 16 under, one shot in front of Australian Elvis Smylie and Jeong weon Ko, the French local who briefly held the clubhouse lead before Kim birdied the 17th. Kim signed for a bogey-free 6-under 65 in the final round, as did the duo that finished T-2.
Kim birdied the 16th and 17th holes to move to 16 under and one ahead of Ko, who had the crowd loudly supporting him as he made his push on the back nine. On the par-3 closing hole tee shot, Kim found the bunker on the 18th and was forced to get up and down for the win, which he did with the 16 footer.
Brooks Koepka and Min Woo Lee were tied for first going into the final round. Koepka signed for 3-under 68 on Sunday and finished solo fourth, still looking for his first win since 2024 LIV Golf Greenbrier. Lee tied for fifth.
Kim takes home $552,500 for his win.