Paris, France – In a finish that had the Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Bretèche crowd on the edge of their seats, Michael Kim drained a nerve-shredding 16-foot par putt on the 72nd hole to secure a one-shot victory at the FedEx Open de France. The 32-year-old American, known as much for his witty social media presence as his steady play, etched his name into the history books as the first U.S. winner of the storied event in 53 years.
Kim’s dramatic up-and-down capped a flawless final-round 65, propelling him to a tournament total of 16-under-par 268. It marked his maiden DP World Tour title and just his second professional victory overall, ending a seven-year title drought since his dominant eight-shot romp at the 2018 John Deere Classic on the PGA Tour. Ranked 64th in the world entering the week, Kim moved to a career-best No. 39. His resurgence in 2025 has been nothing short of remarkable, blending his trademark humor with elite ball-striking skills.
Birdie Blitz Seals Deal
Starting the day one stroke off the lead held by Brooks Koepka and Min Woo Lee at 11-under, Kim wasted no time asserting himself. He drained a 40-foot birdie putt at the second hole to join the leaders, setting the tone for a birdie-filled card that included six in total. The real fireworks came late: Kim poured in birdies at the par-5 16th and the par-4 17th, vaulting him to 16-under and a one-shot edge over the clubhouse leaders.
But the 18th, a treacherous par-3, tested every ounce of his resolve. His tee shot found the bunker, leaving a tricky up-and-down from sand that slid perilously toward the front of the green. Kim’s chip came up short, but the subsequent par putt — described by the golfer himself as a moment where he “kind of blacked out” — traveled straight into the heart of the cup. The roar from the international gallery was muted by the heartbreak of home-favorite Jeong Weon Ko, who had briefly held the lead with an eagle at 16 but settled for a share of second at 15-under alongside Australian Elvis Smylie, both firing 65s.
King Koepka Fades
The pre-round favorites faltered under Sunday pressure. Five-time major champion Koepka, seeking his first non-LIV Golf win since the 2023 PGA Championship, carded a 3-under 68 but stumbled with a bogey at the par-4 15th and a missed birdie opportunity at 16, finishing solo fourth at 14-under. Lee, the other overnight co-leader, mirrored Koepka’s score but couldn’t mount a charge on the back nine. England’s Marcus Armitage, who surged with birdie chances late, also fell short.
For the French faithful, the agony was acute. Ko, a local hero at the Paris venue, electrified the crowd with his eagle but couldn’t force a playoff.
“The support was incredible,” Kim acknowledged post-round, tipping his cap to the passionate spectators who had willed their countryman to glory.
A Social Media Star’s Rise
Kim joins an elite trio of American victors in Open de France lore: Walter Hagen (1920), Byron Nelson (1955), and Barry Jaeckel (1972). His win boosts Kim’s stock in the Race to Dubai standings — from 160th to 35th, earning him 835 points and a spot in the playoffs.
Off the course, Kim’s victory resonated far beyond the fairways. The PGA Tour regular, whose Twitter feed has amassed a cult following for its raw, relatable takes on the grind of pro golf, saw fans erupt online. “CLUTCH,” one post exclaimed, sharing the winning putt clip that racked up thousands of views in minutes. Another hailed him as the “golf social media star,” who had finally synced his online charisma with on-course dominance.
Kim pocketed a cool $552,500 (€469,290) from the $3.25 million purse, a fitting reward for a season that’s seen him flirt with contention week after week. As he jetted home — promising a night of French wine and champagne — Kim reflected on the breakthrough: “I felt like I hit a decent putt… and it somehow stayed pretty straight.”
