NO GRAIN ALL PAIN
Grass not always greener Bob says Kim
TOM KIM admits the grass won’t be greener for lonely Bob MacIntyre in America.
The South Korean star has huge sympathy for the Scot as he faces battles in the States.
MacIntyre is finding it tough to adjust to the business-only PGA Tour approach which leaves him often dining alone and unable to escape the game.
Kim has been confirmed as the latest star to appear in July’s Genesis Scottish Open and he understands the problems facing MacIntyre on and off the course.
He said: “I do think it is harder to adapt from Scotland to the US because, when I played in Scotland, there’s not much grain.
“It’s more just grass and you don’t have shots where, when you hit, your club gets stuck in the ground. Or when you’re reading putts, there’s not much grain at all.
“When you come to the US, there’s so many different grasses. There’s four different types, even more. When you’re adapting to that instead of just one grass, it definitely is harder. The lifestyle here, it’s all business. When I played on the Asian or DP World Tour, there’s a lot of camaraderie, like people going out to dinner and stuff like that.
“When I first came, I definitely saw a different type of golf and I think that’s what makes these guys so good because they are all so dedicated and focused to their craft.”
Kim, however, has no doubts about MacIntyre’s talent.
He was in the final group beside Rory McIlroy on Renaissance Sunday last year when the Scot’s charge almost won the title. He said: “MacIntyre shot 64, something absurd in those conditions.”
Kim can’t wait to get back for a third Scottish Open appearance having finished third in 2022 and tied sixth-place last year behind champion McIlroy.
The South Korean said: “I’ve always enjoyed my time over there. It helps when you play well and I’ve had some good finishes.”