Tom Kim is basically the mayor of Summerlin at this point.
When you look at the 2023 Shriners Open leaderboard, you aren't just looking at a list of golf scores. You're looking at a piece of history where a 21-year-old kid from South Korea did something that hasn't been done since Tiger Woods was wearing baggy pleated pants and metal spikes. He won three times on the PGA Tour before his 22nd birthday.
Honestly, the drama at TPC Summerlin that Sunday was kind of ridiculous. With only an hour left in the tournament, a dozen guys had a legitimate shot at the trophy. We’re talking about a six-way tie for the lead at one point. It was pure chaos in the desert.
The Man Who Owns TPC Summerlin
Tom Kim finished at 20-under par. He shot a final round 66 to edge out Adam Hadwin by exactly one stroke.
The crazy thing? Kim had already won this tournament in 2022. Because of how the PGA Tour was restructuring its schedule into a calendar year, Kim technically won the same event twice in the same season—a feat only Byron Nelson had pulled off back in 1944.
Kim’s scorecard was a clinic in consistency: 68-68-62-66. That Saturday 62 was the "moving day" of all moving days, featuring nine birdies and an eagle. It’s the kind of golf that makes you realize why the guy was ranked 11th in the world after this win.
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A Look at the Final 2023 Shriners Open Leaderboard
If you missed the final tallies, here is how the top of the board shook out. It wasn't just about the winner; some of these guys were fighting for their lives to keep their Tour cards.
- 1. Tom Kim: -20 ($1,512,000)
- 2. Adam Hadwin: -19 ($915,600)
- T3. Eric Cole: -18 ($410,025)
- T3. Alex Noren: -18 ($410,025)
- T3. J.T. Poston: -18 ($410,025)
- T3. Taylor Pendrith: -18 ($410,025)
- T7. Beau Hossler, Cam Davis, Chesson Hadley, Joel Dahmen, Isaiah Salinda, K.H. Lee: -17 ($238,000 each)
Adam Hadwin played some incredible golf, but he’ll probably be haunted by the 16th hole. He was tied for the lead when he pulled his shot into the water. It’s a brutal game. He still managed to birdie the 18th to grab solo second, which is a massive payday, but you could see the disappointment on his face.
Why This Leaderboard Was Different
Most people focus on the winner’s check, which was a cool $1.51 million for Kim. But for the guys further down the list, this was about survival.
Taylor Pendrith, for example, came into Vegas sitting at 123rd in the FedEx Cup standings. By finishing T3, he jumped way up to 90th. In the world of professional golf, that’s the difference between having a job next year and having to go back to the grind of qualifying.
Then you have Ludvig Aberg. He was the "it" boy of 2023. He shot a 62 in the final round to climb into a tie for 13th. Even when he wasn't winning, he was showing everyone why he was a lock for the Ryder Cup.
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The Statistical Edge
Data Golf actually noted that TPC Summerlin played pretty neutral that year. It didn't necessarily favor the "bombers" who hit it 330 yards off the tee. Instead, it rewarded guys like Kim who were absolute surgeons with their irons.
Kim’s strokes gained on approach shots was elite. He isn't the longest hitter—not by a long shot—but he puts the ball in the right spots. He’s been compared to a younger, more energetic Zach Johnson or even a version of Jordan Spieth when the putter is hot.
Misconceptions About the Fall Series
A lot of casual fans think the "Fall Series" doesn't matter. They think the big names are all on vacation.
That's a mistake.
While the 2023 field didn't have Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy, it was incredibly deep. Eric Cole, who tied for third, was in the middle of a Rookie of the Year campaign that was legendary for how many tournaments he actually played. The guy is a machine. Seeing him battle Alex Noren and J.T. Poston on a Sunday in Vegas is high-level golf, period.
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What You Can Learn From Kim’s Win
If you're a golfer, Kim's performance is a lesson in mental toughness. He admitted after the win that he’d been struggling with the "sophomore slump" earlier in the year. He felt the pressure of expectations.
He didn't change his swing. He didn't fire his caddie. He just stayed patient and waited for a course he loved.
Practical Takeaways:
- Check the FedEx Cup Fall standings: If you're following the leaderboard, always look at the "Projected" rankings. That's where the real drama lives for players ranked 100-150.
- Course History is Real: Some guys just "see" certain courses better. Kim at TPC Summerlin is a prime example.
- Iron Play Over Power: In Vegas, the greens are the defense. Look for players who rank high in Greens in Regulation (GIR) when betting or picking fantasy lineups for this event in the future.
Tom Kim’s victory in 2023 wasn't a fluke. It was a statement. He became the youngest player since the 1912 U.S. Open to successfully defend a title. That’s not just a good weekend; that’s legendary.
To see how these rankings affected the following season, you should examine the final FedEx Cup Fall points list, as it determined the "Next 10" players who earned spots into the 2024 Signature Events. Keeping an eye on these mid-tier finishers like Taylor Pendrith or Beau Hossler often reveals who will break out in the following spring.