Si Woo Kim Close to Surpassing Bryson DeChambeau in All-Time List
After a strong start at the CJ CUP Byron Nelson, Si Woo Kim is doing more than chasing another PGA Tour trophy. He has positioned himself near a career milestone that would place him ahead of Bryson DeChambeau on one of the PGA Tour's all-time lists.
Kim opened the tournament with a 64 before erupting for a stunning 11-under 60 in the second round at TPC Craig Ranch. He was in position to break 60 but finished with a bogey on the 18th hole. Nonetheless, he now holds the solo lead at -18. A win at the event could also result in a significant shift in the PGA Tour's career earnings list.
If Kim wins the CJ CUP Byron Nelson, he would collect the tournament's record payout of $1.854 million for first place. That would raise his PGA Tour career earnings from $35,815,901 to $37,669,901, officially moving him ahead of DeChambeau on the PGA Tour's all-time money list. The jump would push Kim into the top 50 highest-earning golfers in tour history.
Even a runner-up finish would have the same impact. Second place at TPC Craig Ranch would earn him $1.122 million, which would still move him ahead of DeChambeau's current PGA Tour earnings total of $36,993,603. The comparison is particularly interesting given how differently the two careers have unfolded.
Kim turned professional in 2012 and has steadily built his career on the PGA Tour. His first win came at the Wyndham Championship in 2016, the same year DeChambeau turned pro. While Kim continued winning events, Bryson added two U.S. Open titles to his name.
However, DeChambeau's PGA Tour earnings effectively froze after his departure to LIV Golf. His final PGA Tour appearance came at the Memorial Tournament in June 2022 before making the jump for a reported $125 million. Since then, DeChambeau has accumulated massive earnings on his new tour.
Across 54 LIV Golf events, the two-time major winner has earned $60,098,131 in prize money. That figure also includes a $4 million bonus for finishing third in the 2025 LIV Golf individual points standings. It's fair to say DeChambeau isn't missing much despite potentially losing his position to Kim.
The LIV Golf star now has to decide his future plans as his contract with the tour nears its end. As the weekend unfolds, the focus remains on Kim nearly making PGA Tour history rather than on updates regarding DeChambeau's golf future. The Korean golfer is simply showcasing how promising he can be as he looks to win his first event since 2023.
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This story was originally published May 23, 2026 at 1:48 PM.