S.H. Kim Vaults into Sony Open Lead: A New Korean Star for Medinah?

The leaderboard at the Sony Open in Hawaii has a familiar flavor for International Team fans, but it’s a new name making the biggest noise. S.H. Kim, firing a diverse array of shots that have dismantled Waialae Country Club's defenses, currently shares the 36-hole lead in the 2026 season opener.

A Tale of Two Rounds Kim’s path to the top of the leaderboard at 9-under (131) has been a masterclass in resilience and closing power.

• Round 1: He opened with a flawless, bogey-free 67, capped off by a clutch run of birdies on his final three holes to surge into contention.
• Round 2: Backing up a low round is arguably the hardest task in golf, but Kim answered with a 68. Despite the pressure of a five-way tie for the lead—sharing the spotlight with Davis Riley and defending champion Nick Taylor—Kim has looked completely at home.

The Next Link in the Chain For years, K.J. Choi carried the torch for Korean golf in the Presidents Cup. Then came the "Big Three" of Sungjae Im, Si Woo Kim, and the explosive Tom Kim. Now, S.H. Kim appears ready to join that elite fraternity. His performance at Waialae is particularly significant because the course demands the same Shotlink-busting precision as Medinah No. 3, the venue for the 2026 Presidents Cup.

Medinah Implications While it's early in the cycle, a win or even a top finish here provides a massive jumpstart in the International Team standings. With the US Team reloading with veterans like Brooks Koepka, the Internationals need "hot hands" who aren't afraid of a shootout. S.H. Kim is proving he can handle the heat of a PGA Tour weekend, a trait that translates directly to the pressure cooker of team match play. If he can convert this 36-hole lead into a victory, he moves from a "potential" prospect to a "likely" rookie for Captain Ogilvy.