By Staff and Wire Reports of Global Golf Post

For someone with only one previous top-10 finish in his PGA Tour career, Michael Kim looked incredibly calm and confident on the weekend on the way to a dominant first victory.

The past U.S. Walker Cup player and low amateur in the 2013 U.S. Open can thank his putting in particular for the performance; Kim made more than 100 feet worth of putts each round.

Kim, who arrived at TPC Deere Run having missed the cut 14 0f 22 starts this season, relished the victory a day after his 25th birthday. His parents flew out to surprise him on the 18th green as he finished.

“I didn’t know they were here,” Kim said. “It wasn’t until I saw them on the camera that I knew they were here, and I teared up a little bit.”

The victory is a career-changer for Kim. He earned a berth in next week’s Open Championship at Carnoustie and also moves up 105 spots in the FedEx Cup standings to No. 56. He is exempt for the next two seasons.

“It’s been a tough first half of the year,” Kim said. “But to finish out in style like this means a lot.”

The outcome was far from certain on Saturday afternoon. That changed when Kim birdied five of his last six holes to take a four-stroke lead into Sunday. Nobody else came close on the final day as Kim made more than 50 feet worth of putts in his first three holes – all birdies – to turn it into a laugher.

Francesco Molinari, Joel Dahmen, Sam Ryder and Bronson Burgoon shared second place at 19 under. Burgoon’s finish, which followed a T6 at the recent Quicken Loans National, pushed the former Texas A&M Aggie to 98th on the FedEx Cup points list. Ryder also made a major move up to No. 115, giving him hope of making the playoffs.

Driver: Titleist TS2 (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila Rogue Black 60X

Fairway Wood: Titleist 917F2 (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila Rogue Black 70X

Hybrid: Titleist 816H1 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD-DI 85X

Irons: Titleist 716 T-MB (4-iron), Titleist 718 AP2 (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S300 (5-9 iron), True Temper XP 115 (4, PW)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 gap (52, 56 and 60 degrees)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S300

Putter: Scotty Cameron GSS 350

Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord

Republished with permission from Global Golf Post