Joo-Hyung (Tom) Kim, a talented South Korean golfer, has rapidly ascended to the top ranks of professional golf. Nonetheless, as with any great golfer, there is an equally great caddie supporting them. Thus, the question arises: who is Tom Kim’s caddie? This article will explore the relationship between Kim and his caddie, and examine the important role played by the caddie in Kim’s exceptional achievements.
Joe Skovron, Tom Kim’s Current Caddie
During the 2022 Presidents Cup, Joo-Hyung Tom Kim teamed up with Joe Skovron, who had previously served as Rickie Fowler’s caddie.
Skovron, hailing from Murrieta, California, played college golf at the University of La Verne and also has experience as a former college golf coach. Skovron’s extensive knowledge of the game’s most significant events has proven invaluable to Kim, and the duo regularly engages in productive conversations about the shots Kim faces. Skovron’s input appears to have helped elevate Kim’s game to new heights.
Despite being a rookie, Kim displayed impressive skills during the Presidents Cup, producing exceptional golf that resulted in him becoming one of the standout players of the International Presidents Cup team. Just a month after this remarkable performance, Kim won his second PGA Tour event at the Shriners Children’s Open, earning him recognition as a top-20 player globally.
Jacob Fleck, Kim’s former Caddie
Skovron was not always in the role of Kim’s caddie. In the early stages of Kim’s career, Jacob Fleck was responsible for carrying Kim’s bag during numerous PGA Tour events, which also included Kim’s first tour win at the Wyndham Championship in 2022. Fleck, in a conversation with The Caddie Network, recounted the victory, which came as a surprise, as Kim had a quadruple bogey on the opening hole. Despite the setback, Kim persevered and fought back to finish with a score of 67.
Fleck described the feeling of calmness he and Kim shared after the first hole, saying, “It was like, ‘OK, that just happened.’ … but there was no worry.” Kim would go on to shoot 64-68 and produce six birdies and an eagle on the front nine of the final round, with Fleck saying, “When it’s like that, honestly, I’m just staying out of the way.”
The reasons for the separation between Kim and Fleck remain unclear, but the talented golfer has undoubtedly found a reliable partner in Skovron. Under Skovron’s guidance, Kim has consistently climbed up the world rankings, and it appears probable that this fruitful partnership will continue for the foreseeable future.
Conclusion
Undeniably, the significance of a caddie in a golfer’s accomplishments cannot be overstated, and both Jacob Fleck and Joe Skovron have played pivotal roles in the journey of Joo-Hyung (Tom) Kim. Fleck was instrumental in Kim’s first PGA Tour triumph, while Skovron has been pivotal in the ascent of the young talent to the top 20 players in the world. As Kim continues to leave his mark in the world of golf, one can only anticipate the great heights that he and his caddie will reach together in the coming days.
Great Information!