Lion Kim was born in the sunny state of Florida, but forged his decorated college career at the University of Michigan. Kim enters the professional ranks after attaining a long list of accolades as an amateur. He won the 2010 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship with a convincing 6&5 victory in the final match and thus earned a spot in the 2011 Masters. He was also a two-time All-America honorable mention and a two-time All-Big Ten selection.

 

His birth name is Jun Min Kim and he was given the nickname “Lion” by his parents. Kim’s parents called him Lion because it stands out and because Lion Kim sounds like Lion King. Lion performs the same warm-up routine before every tournament round and always marks his golf balls with a red sharpie. He holds the third best career scoring average at the University of Michigan and was a General Studies Major while at the school.