Tuesday, June 9, 2026Sports Chronicle
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"It Fits Rory So Well": Michael Kim Praises Rory McIlroy While Reflecting on His Own Missed Chances

Not every player leaves Augusta with a Green Jacket.

PGA Tour pro Michael Kim didn’t play his best golf this week, but he still shared a clear reason why Rory McIlroy keeps winning there. He also admitted where his own game fell short.

Kim shared his thoughts on X on April 13, after the Masters. He talked about his week at Augusta National, the good parts, the frustrating moments, and what he noticed about McIlroy, who won the green jacket back-to-back.

"The course really does feel like it fits Rory so well," Kim wrote. "His high shots off the tee and overall game lets him find much easier birdies and eagles than most of the field."

That's no small thing coming from a guy who played the same track that week, and Kim didn't stop there.

"He has a comfort now around this place that guys like Tiger, Jack, and Phil had," he wrote. "He might have 4 or 5 by the end of his career."

McIlroy's back-to-back Masters titles gave him six majors total, and only Nicklaus, Faldo, and Woods had defended Augusta before him. And Kim watched all of it up close and clearly took notes.

His own week, though, was a different story.

"I just made too many simple mistakes during the week," Kim wrote. "I didn't make any doubles, but some of the 'simpler' shots, especially with my wedges, weren't crisp enough. Next time."

Kim finished at 150(+6), placing him T72 and officially ending his tournament after 36 holes.

He wasn't making any excuses but trying to take accountability for his past mistakes.

Michael Kim Has An Augusta Lesson Every Golfer Should Know

Kim also shared something most fans don’t know. Players who miss the cut can still stay and practice at Augusta National, and many of them do.

"They do let guys that MC stay and practice," he wrote, noting he even spotted Jose Maria Olazabal on the range. "Some dudes just love the grind and practice."

As for the tournament itself, Kim called the Masters experience something else entirely.

"The vibe/energy/atmosphere is unlike any other place I've been to," he wrote. "It's truly a privilege to compete there."

Hilton Head and the RBC Heritage are next on his schedule, but Augusta, though, is clearly staying with him.

Does McIlroy have four or five Masters titles in him before it's all said and done? Let us know below.

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Trending slideshow: As Anthony Kim Wins LIV Adelaide, Here Are the Facts About the New Champion

Eknoor Juneja As Anthony Kim Wins LIV Adelaide, Here Are the Facts About the New Champion
After 5,795 days of silence and a long battle with addiction, Anthony Kim finally traded his status as golf’s great recluse for a trophy. The 40-year-old father didn't just show up in Adelaide; he hunted down the world’s best with a course-record 63 to reclaim his throne. This victory is a survival story for a man who almost lost his life before finding a renewed duty to his daughter, Bella. What hidden struggles and fresh milestones truly define the champion behind this historic return? Matt Turner/AAP/Imago
Kim's basketball talent was on full display in 2010 when he nailed a 3-point shot in a celebrity game. He even teamed up with Shaq to win a televised golf match against other famous stars. via ZUMA Press Wire/Imago
Golf history changed at the 2009 Masters when he made 11 birdies in just one round. Topping the old record of 10, he showed everyone he could handle the hardest courses with ease. Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire/Imago
International match play always brought out his best energy during massive global events. He played a huge part in winning the 2008 Ryder Cup and 2009 Presidents Cup while staying undefeated in every singles match. Mark Cornelison Staff/ZUMA Press Wire/Imago
Records at the University of Oklahoma still show his name for the best scoring average ever. A 71.73 score beat out other top players and marked him as a superstar while still a teenager. Michele Eve Sandberg/Icon Sportswire/Imago
Reaching number 6 in the world rankings back in 2008 put him among the best on earth. He stayed in the top 10 for over 20 weeks and became a major force in the game. via ZUMA Press Wire/Imago
Losing his spot on the tour in 2025 almost ended his career for good. He entered a high-pressure qualifying event last month, where a 3rd-place finish saved his job and his dream. Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire/Imago
Nasty injuries stopped his career in 2012 after he needed surgery on his left leg. A 12-year break followed where many fans thought he would never touch a golf club again. via Dreamstime/Imago
Exactly 5,795 days passed between his last win in 2010 and this new victory in Adelaide. Such a massive gap is one of the longest and most unlikely waits for a trophy ever. Steven Flynn/Golffile/Imago
A renewed sense of purpose as a father propelled him to an impressive 63 score in front of a crowd of 115,000 spectators. He overcame his personal struggles and gifted his $4 million winnings to his young daughter, Bella, on the last green. Matt Turner/AAP/Imago

Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Kalp Thaker