Once a rising star in the golf world, Tom Kim’s career trajectory seems to have taken an unfortunate nosedive. The player, who turned pro in 2018, had a promising start with two wins before reaching the age of 22. His first notable win was the 2022 Wyndham Championship, followed by a victory at the 2023 Shriners Children’s Open. However, since then, Kim’s winning streak has run dry. Recent revelations from a podcast hosted by Vanity Index Podcast with Skratch may shed some light on this sudden decline.
During the podcast, an intriguing discussion unfolded around the significant role of tour caddies in a golfer’s career. The conversation turned towards Joe Skovron, the man who was a longtime caddie for Rickie Fowler, and helped him claim all five of his PGA Tour wins, including the prestigious 2015 Players Championship.
It was Skovron’s association with Tom Kim that became the focal point of the conversation. Skovron entered into a partnership with Kim in 2022, just before the Presidents Cup. The caddie’s impact was immediate, helping Kim secure the 2022 Wyndham Championship and the 2023 Shriners Children’s Open. This made Kim the second youngest winner of a PGA Tour event post World War II.
However, Skovron’s departure from Kim’s side seems to have resulted in a drastic change in Kim’s fortunes. Since their professional parting, Kim has failed to capture another title and even suffered a disappointing defeat at the Paris Olympics, failing to secure a medal for his country. Could it be that Skovron’s departure was the turning point in Kim’s career?
Beyond the golf course, Kim and Skovron had a close-knit personal relationship. In an interview with the PGA Tour following his third win, Kim referred to Skovron as his ‘big brother’ and credited him for his success. He expressed deep gratitude for their partnership and the impact it had on his career.
While Kim’s career seems to have stalled, Skovron’s new association with Ludvig Aberg, the emerging star of the golf world, is flourishing. Skovron joined forces with Aberg in December 2023, replacing his former caddie Jack Clarke. Aberg’s decision to bring on Skovron, a more experienced hand, has proven beneficial, especially during the 2024 season which saw Aberg finish second at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Masters, helping him rise in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
Aberg, who recently won the Genesis Invitational, described his playful relationship with Skovron. The two have a fun wager going on about the number of hole-outs they can achieve in a year. With Aberg’s performance on an upward trajectory, it remains to be seen what heights this new partnership can reach.
In the world of golf, a caddie’s role goes beyond carrying clubs; they can make or break a player’s career. The tale of Tom Kim and Joe Skovron exemplifies this fact. As we await Kim’s return to form and watch Aberg’s promising career unfold, one can’t help but wonder: how many more wins can Skovron help Aberg secure?