HONOLULU, Hawaii – Si Woo Kim, the 2023 Sony Open champion, is back in Hawaii aiming to defend his title and kickstart another strong season on the PGA Tour.

In a virtual press conference with Korean media, Kim expressed his excitement about returning to the tournament where he claimed his most recent victory. "I'm thrilled to be back at the Sony Open," said Kim. "It's the second event of the season, and I'm eager to perform well."

The Sony Open holds a special place in Kim's heart. In 2022, he celebrated his honeymoon in Hawaii and unexpectedly won the tournament. "Winning just a month after my wedding was an incredible feeling," he reminisced.

This year, the tournament takes on an even more significant meaning with the addition of his son, Theo. "I hope to create another special memory here this year and play well," Kim said.

While the course has brought him joy, Kim acknowledged the challenges it presents. "I've only had good results in 2022 and 2016," he said. "The fairways are narrow, but you can hit your tee shots without worrying about going out of bounds on every hole. It's a course where you can score well, so I need to focus on my putting."

In preparation for this season, Kim has been working on increasing his swing speed. "I felt limited among the long hitters and players with high ball speeds on the PGA Tour," he explained. "After increasing my speed, I played my first tournament last week, and the feeling was good. There's still a lot to improve, but it's a great start."

Kim's primary goal for this season is consistency. Last year, he missed just two cuts, marking his most consistent season on tour. "Although I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't win, I'm well-prepared for this season, and I want to play steadily and consistently to win," he said.