TaylorMade Golf signs English amateur starlet on NIL agreement

TaylorMade confirms the signature of rising star Kris Kim ahead of his PGA Tour debut at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson this week.

Andy Roberts

30 Apr 2024

TaylorMade, the golf equipment powerhouse that sponsors the likes of PGA Tour stars Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, has today announced the signing of teenage starlet Kris Kim on a NIL agreement.

Kim will be making his first start in a professional event at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on the PGA Tour playing 14 TaylorMade clubs and ball.

The 16-year-old Brit has developed under the support of his mother, former LPGA member Ji-Hyun Suh, as well as non-profit Golfing4Life which supports young golfers to aid them in reaching their full potential.

Kris Kim receives sponsor invite to compete on the PGA Tour

Kim is described as a humble character who soaks up any information he is introduced to, currently balancing elite golf with his GCSE’s - helping his organisation and dedication to shine through.

He has big goals for himself but paired with a great attitude and repeatable golf swing he is certainly someone to keep an eye on.

With a current handicap of +6 Kim is coming off the back of a successful season in 2023 which includes wins at the Fairhaven Trophy, McGregor Trophy, British Boys, and the European Boys Championship where he set a new course record, 65.

Kim also graced the European Junior Ryder Cup team winning 3.5 out of 4 points for the week, including a victory over fellow Team TaylorMade member Miles Russell.

Kim has since continued this success into the 2024 season and he was recently selected to represent the England Men’s team in the Nations Cup.

Mark Thistleton, Senior Tour Representative Player Development EMEA of TaylorMade, said:

"There is no doubt Kris is among the very best of not just young British Golfers, but junior golfers from around the world.
"He showed his skills on the big stage during a successful Junior Ryder Cup in 2023 which capped off a very dominant year in junior golf for him.
"We at TaylorMade are all about using our equipment expertise to help nurture young talented golfers like Kris as they develop skill, speed and power at an increasingly young age and fast pace.
"We are thrilled to see his success to date and that he continues to put his trust in us and our products.”

The sports marketing team have been working with Kim over the past three years and have been monitoring the progression of his game, this has resulted in an increase in weight of the shafts his clubs are fitted with to best match up with ball striking ability – leading to a switch to the P·7MB iron, providing more feel and control.

A fan of classic looks and lines, Kim leans more towards the use of the P·770 2i as his ‘go-to’ off the tee, however, isn’t afraid to switch that out for a rescue, course dependant.

Kim's ball of choice is the TP5 golf ball, feeling this gives him the most all around feel and control performance.

Kim said:

"I have built a great relationship with Mark and the team over the past few years and am excited for what’s to come in the years ahead. TaylorMade has a high pedigree and eye an for developing future stars, helping them to become PGA Tour and major championship winners. I am looking forward to working with the team and reaching the goals I have set out for my career."