Geoff Ulrich tagged Michael Kim as a near-free square tournament flyer now that his nagging back issue is improving. Kim gutted out a made cut at Quail Hollow—posting a Friday 70 through the Green Mile—and told reporters the back is "almost healed." Ulrich reminded listeners that Kim owns a top-20 at Colonial and won the John Deere on another tight, wedge-heavy par-70, proving he can thrive on positional setups. With projections showing well under 1 percent ownership and a mid-$8K salary few will touch, Ulrich is willing to sprinkle Kim in Scheffler fade builds and even considered a triple-digit outright because the course fit and health arrow both point up.

Bo McBrayer called Michael Kim a "+5500 smash pick," insisting books hung the wrong number. Kim ranks top-15 on Tour in fairways gained and top-25 in proximity with wedges—exactly the two stats Bo targets at tree-lined Colonial where everyone clubs down. The Houston native has piled up seven straight cuts made and four top-15s on layouts under 7,200 yards this season, flashing a tidy 1.2 strokes gained putting on fast bentgrass. McBrayer is ladder-betting him outright, top-10 and top-20, convinced the Korean-American’s elite accuracy and recent form make him a live winner who should be closer to 35-1.

John Hasslebauer sprinkled Michael Kim at 55-1 standard (40-1 without Scheffler) based on a Colonial quirk: nine of the last ten winners logged a top-10 here within the previous three years—a box Kim checks after last season’s T6. Although Kim’s recent form cooled after a month-long run of top-10s, Hasslebauer argued that the market is over-reacting. Kim still ranks sixth in fairways gained and eighth in proximity from 125-175 yards over his last 36 rounds, skills critical on a 7,200-yard par-70 that turns defensive if you miss the fairway. With the greens now a year older—reducing last season’s bounce-heavy randomness—Hasslebauer believes Kim’s positional play and wedge control give him real top-five equity at a price the public will ignore.

Pat Mayo reported that Michael Kim withdrew from the Truist event on Saturday with a back injury and has offered no update since. Mayo messaged Kim directly but has not received clarification, raising real doubt Kim will tee it up—or finish—at Quail Hollow. Given the field depth and course’s 7,600-yard length, Mayo argued a compromised back is a deal-breaker, making Kim an easy fade in DFS player pools and a non-starter in any placement or matchup markets.

Jim Sannes placed Michael Kim at the top of his betting card for a +180 Top-20, pointing to the Korean-American’s elite ball-striking and recent breather after a demanding spring schedule. Despite admitting Kim looked “burned out” while chasing a Masters invite, Sannes highlighted that Kim still gained on approach both at Augusta and the RBC Heritage. With two weeks of rest now in the bank, Sannes expects the irons that rank inside the top 15 of this field over the last three months to pop again. Kim combines a ‘decent’ driver with those razor-sharp wedges, giving him the fairway-through-green profile Sannes wants on Cricket Club’s smaller bent-grass targets. At plus money in a 72-man field, Sannes views the number as simply too generous for Kim’s current tee-to-green form.

Brandon Gdula highlighted Michael Kim as the standout salary-saver for DFS lineups, noting Kim’s $9,300 tag is paired with a 1.64 true strokes gained average over the past three months—best among all golfers priced at $10k or less. Kim ranks 13th in the field on approach during that span and has made four straight cuts since the Players, signaling reliable ball-striking despite finishes outside the top 25. Gdula admits Kim’s recent around-the-green numbers have cooled, but he sees that volatility as acceptable given the strong iron play and price relief Kim provides for stars-and-scrubs builds headlined by Rory. He is fading outright bets on Kim but will be overweight in DFS tournaments where roster flexibility is paramount.

Rick Gehman remains bullish on Michael Kim, pointing out that in 13 starts this year Kim is gaining 1.01 strokes per round—sandwiched between Jordan Spieth and Keith Mitchell. Kim has gained on approach in every event since Phoenix, and the putter has been positive in all but Harbour Town. That steady iron play fits Philadelphia Cricket’s second-shot emphasis, while his solid putting provides weekly upside. At a mid-7K DraftKings tag Gehman sees Kim as a safe made-cut with top-15 potential, ideal for cash builds and single-entry contests.

Pat Mayo labeled Michael Kim a prime buy-low after three straight mediocre starts. Kim told Mayo he used to be a member at TPC Craig Ranch and specifically circled this week to right the ship. Despite the recent slide, Kim still sits 14th in the field in strokes gained total over the last 24 rounds and ranks 2nd in short-range putting inside 5 feet. Mayo highlighted that Craig Ranch is the Tour’s second-easiest scrambling venue, ideal for Kim’s once-elite around-the-green game that carried him to five consecutive top-15 finishes earlier in the spring. The main leak has been erratic long irons from 200+ yards (139th on Tour), but Kim’s course knowledge and bent-grass comfort could allow a quick fix. Mayo prefers him as a top-20 wager and sub-5%-owned DraftKings flier, banking on a bounce-back to his pre-Players form.

Brady Kannon identifies Michael Kim as a high-upside betting option at triple-digit (105-1) odds for the RBC Heritage, acknowledging the golfer's poor history at Harbour Town and correlated events but stressing dramatic recent improvement. Kim has recently shown strong results (2nd at WM Phoenix, 4th at Arnold Palmer Invitational, and multiple other top-15 finishes), plus a solid performance finishing 27th at the Masters, marking significant progression from his prior career form. Statistically, Kim ranks third in SG: Tee to Green over recent rounds, 11th in approach play, 12th in scrambling, and 13th on critical par-4 scoring from 400-450 yards. Kannon considers Kim’s improved play and attractive long odds worthy of a small wager to win and a top-20 finish bet.

Gdula favored Michael Kim (-110) to beat Maverick McNealy, highlighting their similar recent play with one major difference: Kim’s significantly stronger around-the-green game. The small greens and scrambling demands at Harbour Town make short-game skills critical, offering Kim a distinct advantage in this matchup.

Jim Sannes discussed Michael Kim as an intriguing DFS sleeper option despite concerns about his recent heavy playing schedule. Kim posted a T27 at the Masters on top of a T28 at Valspar and a T32 finish prior to Augusta. Even though Kim's historical course performance at Harbour Town has been poor, Sannes felt comfortable partially disregarding this history due to significant recent improvements in Kim's game. Still, Sannes acknowledged workload as a minor red flag but noted Kim remains in consideration for DFS lineups.

Pat Mayo mentioned Michael Kim is worth another look at RBC Heritage, suggesting potentially favorable betting odds around 75-to-1. He noted that public perception might remain tempered depending on how Kim finishes around Masters weekend. However, Mayo asserted Harbour Town suits Kim's game nicely, and the betting number provides enough value to invest. The implication was that Kim's current performance, overshadowed by bigger names competing at Augusta, creates ideal conditions for astute bettors to strike.

Byron Lindeque identified Michael Kim as an intriguing longshot for the Masters' first round leader at odds of 90 to 1. He noted Kim's ability to shape 'ropey draws,' a shot shape historically advantageous at Augusta National. Although Kim isn't considered a traditional favorite, Byron emphasized the volatility of first round markets and explicitly endorsed Kim as having realistic potential to deliver an early surprise due to shot shape matchups at Augusta.

Jim Sannes highlighted Michael Kim ($8200) as an intriguing DFS differentiation option. Sannes noted Kim, who had previously played heavily on the tour, finally got a much-needed rest last week which could positively impact his performance. Additionally, Kim is actively preparing at Augusta, logging daily insights on Twitter. Despite debutant caution, Kim's refreshed physical state and focus on Augusta preparation makes him viable when needing lower-priced DFS selections.

David Barnett recommended fading Michael Kim in DFS for Augusta. Despite recognizing Kim's recently gained distance, improvements to his overall play, and active engagement with the golf DFS community, Barnett questioned his ability to meet expectations under Augusta's pressure and scrutiny. He expressed reservations about Kim's mental state potentially being overwhelmed by the spotlight and distracting factors related to Kim's social media activity and self-promotion tendencies ahead of The Masters.

Pat Mayo is keen on Michael Kim for positional Masters betting markets (top-20 specifically), highlighting Kim's recent resurgence in form. Mayo cited Kim's drastically improved chipping under new coach Joe Mayo, solid approach play, and reliable accuracy off the tee, combined with recent marquee performances—top-five and top-15 finishes at notable, difficult events such as Bay Hill and Torrey Pines. Mayo specifically emphasized Kim's realistic top-20 potential at Augusta, making him a preferable lower-priced fantasy or smaller positional betting option rather than outright win contender.

Pat Mayo is optimistic about Michael Kim, emphasizing his excellent recent chipping since working with coach Joe Mayo, solid approach play, improved putting, and his knack for hitting fairways consistently. Michael Kim enters the Masters confident following recent top-five and top-15 finishes at signature events like Bay Hill and Torrey Pines. Mayo views Kim realistically as an attractive positional betting option—specifically in top-20 or top-15 markets, believing that achieving such a result would be a significant win for a player recently returning to form after previous struggles.

Michael Kim detailed his targeted preparation for Augusta National by specifically focusing on practicing uneven lies and reinforcing sharpness of mid-to-long irons, both essential to contending at the Masters. To support his prep, Kim consulted with successful Masters performers like Charley Hoffman on crucial skills such as short game and lag putting, as well as utilizing data-driven strategic insights from his stats analyst. Kim’s intentional and detailed practice regimen positions him favorably as a calculated DFS and betting consideration heading into the Masters.

Pat Mayo pointed out Michael Kim's highly underrated stat: ranking 11th on Tour in distance from the center of the fairway, vastly exceeding Kim's own expectation of around 98th. This top-ranked accuracy suggests strong tee shot consistency and significant hidden value relative to perception, potentially making Kim a strong yet overlooked candidate for DFS lineups and betting plays on precision-demanding courses where accurate driving pays off.

Pat Mayo sees Michael Kim's elite iron play as perfectly suited to Augusta National. Kim ranks fifth in the 2025 Masters field in approach play for the season, aligning neatly with the widely-known description of Augusta as a 'second-shot' course. Mayo emphasized Kim's improved comfort level compared to 2019, his effective draw shot-shape ideal for Augusta, and strong mid-to-long irons, concluding that if Kim starts with a strong opening round to build confidence early, he can realistically contend. Mayo's confidence in Kim's iron strengths can guide DFS picks and outright Masters bets.

Pat Mayo highlighted a valuable DFS nugget regarding Michael Kim, noting that despite modest driving distance compared to the tour's bombers, Kim has repeatedly excelled at long, difficult courses. Mayo cited Kim's strong performances this season at challenging venues like Arnold Palmer Invitational (Bay Hill), PGA National (Honda Classic), and Copperhead Course (Valspar), all tournaments typically considered ball-striker tests. According to Mayo, Kim's proven ability on challenging, long setups suggests Augusta National, Muirfield Village (Jack's course), and the upcoming PGA Championship are promising spots to utilize him in DFS and betting markets.

Michael Kim attributes his recent move into the top 50 of the OWGR to significant improvements in his short game and consistently sound ball-striking. He specifically credits coach Joe Mayo with helping enhance his chipping, making him a top-5 player around the greens. Kim notes that his full swing improvements began last fall and have continued with minor tweaks, notably adjusting ball position. This steady improvement was evident when he finished 4th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational against one of the strongest fields of the year, suggesting his game is robust enough to compete at the Masters and other major championships coming up.

Michael Kim explained his improved mental preparation compared to his previous Masters appearance in 2018. He specifically detailed feeling far more prepared mentally, highlighting refined processes to handle high-stress environments at Augusta. Despite acknowledging the inevitable nervousness from driving down Magnolia Lane and the first tee announcement, Kim believes his better mental approach—built from experience and the best form of his career—will significantly enhance his ability to manage stress and perform well at this year's Masters. This makes him an intriguing DFS and betting option, given his confidence in improved mental toughness and form heading into the tournament.

Pat Mayo cautioned listeners regarding the potential withdrawal (WD) risk for Michael Kim at the Valero Texas Open if he secures his Masters invite by finishing inside the top 50 worldwide ranking after Houston. Mayo clarified this risk arises from Michael Kim's heavy recent tournament schedule, playing eight consecutive events. Should Kim qualify definitively for Augusta based on his Houston Open finish this week, Mayo expects Kim to withdraw, focusing instead on rest and Masters preparation. Fantasy players and bettors should have contingencies for Kim in place this week.

Pat Mayo endorsed Michael Kim as an elite DFS play for the 2025 Houston Open. Despite Kim sarcastically expressing apprehension about the event publicly, Mayo pointed out that Kim perfectly fits this course with excellent driving, short game, and putting statistics. Furthermore, Mayo highlighted the narrative factor, noting Kim needs a top-50 result to secure entry into the Masters. Mayo suggested Kim's public skepticism is ironically a sign he'll likely perform well, emphasizing Kim as a core play driven by favorable metrics, motivation, and contrarian perception.

David Barnett advised caution for any bets on Michael Kim at the Houston Open, after noting Kim explicitly indicated he's extremely tired and suffering from neck and back pain. Given Kim described his physical condition openly and negatively, Barnett believes it's wise to fade Kim or avoid exposure entirely, suggesting this injury and fatigue could significantly impact performance during the event.

Kelley Bydlon is betting Michael Kim for a top-20 finish at +175, pointing to his steady recent form despite narrowly missing last week. Kim has shown remarkable consistency, with only one notably poor round over the past seven weeks, gaining strokes across all key metrics. Adding intrigue to Kim this week, Wes Reynolds noted Kim sits at World No. 52 and needs only approximately a top-22 finish to earn enough ranking points this week to qualify for The Masters. This added motivation further boosts the appeal of a Michael Kim top-20 wager.

Ev Singleton mentioned Michael Kim as a noteworthy candidate for the Houston Open, citing his impressive and balanced statistical profile in 2025. Despite below-average off-the-tee ranking for distance on a course where distance matters, Kim's exceptional bogey avoidance, sharp approach game, and strong performance around the greens contributed heavily to his attractiveness at Memorial Park. Singleton did express slight concern over Kim’s high price but still emphasized his overall strong model fit and excellent recent form.

Len Hochberg strongly favored Michael Kim as a compelling DFS play at $8,700 due to his urgent motivation to secure a top-50 world ranking and qualification for the Masters. Presently ranked 52nd, Kim needs a productive week at the Houston Open to avoid a ninth consecutive tournament and the pressure of having to qualify next week. Hochberg's predictive model ranked Kim number one overall, highlighting his strength in bogey avoidance, SG: Around-the-Green (third overall in the field), par-5 performance, and approach metrics. Kim's notable recent consistency, making past two cuts at Memorial Park, further supports Hochberg's bullish stance.

Bob Weeks saw value in Michael Kim for a Top 10 finish despite recent weaker results, mentioning Kim's run of five straight top-12 finishes before missing the cut at the Players and finishing T28 at the Valspar Championship. Weeks emphasized Kim's consistent play in key metrics, specifically noting he's ranked 11th on Tour in both Strokes Gained: Tee to Green and Around the Green. Kim's putter, though middle-of-the-pack overall, has been positive in six of his last seven tournaments, enhancing his potential upside this week in Houston.

Andy Lang recommended caution with Michael Kim this week at the Houston Open, citing signs of fatigue and regression. Kim previously had a career run with five straight top-13 finishes but recently experienced a missed cut and a mediocre 28th place finish. As he enters his eighth tournament in consecutive weeks, Lang suggested that rest might have benefited Kim more than continued competition. Additionally, Kim's past performances at Memorial Park are notably weak, finishing only 64th and 47th in his last two appearances. Given these factors and his high market pricing as a top-10 golfer for the week, Lang strongly advised avoiding bets or DFS lineups including Michael Kim.

Matt Gannon strongly advises betting against Michael Kim in tournament matchups at Memorial Park. He specifically highlighted Kim's significant disadvantage due to his short driving distance compared to the course's long-hitter demands. With Memorial Park heavily favoring bombers who can reliably shorten approach shots, Gannon expects Kim's lack of distance off-the-tee will severely limit his scoring opportunities. Given Kim's current odds, he'll be matched against players far better suited to Memorial Park, making him a strong matchup fade candidate this week.

Matt Gannon advises fading Michael Kim at Memorial Park this week due to course fit issues. While acknowledging Kim's consistent recent form and motivation (being just outside the top 50 in the world golf rankings ahead of the Masters qualification cutoff), Gannon pointed out Kim's relative short driving distance as a major concern on this long, demanding course. He believes Kim will face considerable disadvantage in his approaches and overall scoring, making him an ideal golfer to bet against in matchups.

Pat Mayo mentioned Michael Kim as a compelling betting option to finish top-20 at the Houston Open. Mayo pointed out explicitly that Kim needs a top-20 result to qualify for the upcoming Masters, adding a significant motivational factor. Highlighting this clear incentive, Mayo suggested bettors look favorably on Kim as he may be particularly focused and motivated to perform well this week.

Eric Polzin noted Michael Kim's intriguing DFS appeal rooted in his solid recent play and local connection to the Houston area. Kim recently missed a cut at The Players Championship due to a short putt on the 17th, then rebounded decently in his next event. Polzin sees potential value at the Houston Open given local golfers typically perform well at familiar venues. Despite recent mixed results, his local insight, familiarity, and steadier performance lately make Kim an attractive DFS consideration.

Rick Gehman strongly endorses Michael Kim as an intriguing DFS and outright betting choice, observing Kim has produced elite consistency, with only one poor round out of his last 32 competitive rounds. After narrowly missing a cut at the Players Championship, Kim immediately bounced back to continue his impressive string of performances stretching from fall through early 2025. Rick believes Kim's massive improvement and consistency make him a legitimate contender to return to the winner's circle this week at Memorial Park.

RJ Ochoa recommended betting on Michael Kim to win the Valspar Championship at +3000 odds. He pointed out Kim's scorching recent form despite missing the cut at The Players by one stroke. Prior to that event, Kim had delivered an impressive streak of strong performances, finishing inside the top 13 in five consecutive starts, including three finishes in the top-six. Ochoa reminded bettors of Kim's standout performance at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, where Kim achieved multiple eagles in a single round for the first time in his career. RJ believes Kim's recent missed cut is an outlier and anticipates a return to his stellar form this week, making him a strong pick at favorable odds for an outright victory.

Wes Reynolds targets Michael Kim at 40-1 this week after Kim narrowly missed the cut at The Players Championship. Prior to that slip-up, Kim posted consistent finishes on the PGA Tour, including recent top-6 results at Arnold Palmer and Cognizant Classic and top-13 finishes at both the Mexico Open and Genesis. After this slight dip at TPC Sawgrass, Reynolds sees great value in betting Kim for a bounce-back performance at Copperhead.

Pat Mayo highlighted Michael Kim as a strong play, citing his favorable weather draw and excellent recent form, entering the week second in the field in strokes-gained tee-to-green over his last 24 rounds. Kim has already performed well twice in Florida recently against slightly weaker fields, which increases Mayo's optimism about Kim securing a breakthrough victory at Valspar.

David Barnett still likes Michael Kim at 40 to 1 despite a rough outing the previous week. He attributed Kim’s lackluster performance partly to the harsh nature of the course played. Barnett expressed confidence in Kim's recent strong play, urging not to let one off-week define his overall prospects. Expecting a rebound given Kim’s skillset, Barnett advises maintaining faith in Kim for both betting and DFS decisions.

Nick Borrman advised looking at Michael Kim as a sneaky selection for the Valspar Championship. Despite missing the cut last week, Kim had been on fire before that and his form suggests he can bounce back. Borrman noted Kim's strong performance in strokes-gained metrics, especially strokes-gained approach, putting him in the conversation despite recent setbacks. He anticipates that Kim's prior hot streak will resume, making him a solid under-the-radar pick.

Mike McClure advocated for Michael Kim as an undervalued DFS play heading into the Valspar Championship, rationalizing that Kim's missed cut at The Players was merely due to two bad drives that skewed his round one results. McClure acknowledged Kim's solid overall play during 2025, highlighting his rebound to form in subsequent rounds and predicting that his recent performance could lead to a discount in ownership. At $8,900, McClure appreciates Kim's ability to bounce back and sees value in his low ownership amidst a packed eight-thousand range.

Bo McBrayer sees Michael Kim as a valuable betting option for the Valspar Championship, currently pegged at 40 to 1. Although Kim missed the cut at the Players Championship last week, McBrayer reassured bettors that he wasn't off form, with the miss being just one shot shy. Prior to that, Kim sported a top 10 streak dating back to the Waste Management Open, marking him as one of the hottest golfers currently. McBrayer anticipates that Kim's knack for staying par will play well at Copperhead's demanding layout and fast greens.

Mike McClure's DFS model on SportsLine identified Michael Kim as a valuable longshot at 40-1 odds for the 2025 Valspar Championship. Despite missing the cut at the recent Players Championship, Kim's overall form has been impressive, finishing inside the top-13 in five straight tournaments prior—including standout performances at the WM Phoenix Open (T-2) and the Arnold Palmer Invitational (top-5). Kim ranks ninth on tour in total strokes gained and fourth in scrambling ability, as well as top-15 in sand saves. With a PGA Tour scoring rank of 18th and excellent consistency on Par 4s (12th-ranked), Kim's skillset aligns perfectly with the demands of Copperhead Course, according to McClure's advanced analytics.

Rick Gehman called Michael Kim a strong bounce-back candidate after a missed cut at The Players Championship. Gehman discounted the miss, noting it came narrowly and mainly due to a couple errant drives on Thursday at a course potentially unsuited for Kim. Michael Kim's Friday performance was exceptional, gaining 2.5 strokes on the field and excelling in all major categories. Prior to The Players, he had posted strong placements of T2, 4th, 6th, and two T13 finishes. Gehman is quick to forgive the missed cut as an outlier, due to Kim’s overall consistency and recent excellent performances.

Derek Farnsworth finds significant DFS value in Michael Kim at just $5,900, given Kim's recent form consisting of five straight top-15 finishes, many in strong fields. Farnsworth notes Michael Kim was priced comparably to elite players like Hideki Matsuyama recently and calls his current low DFS pricing disrespectful. Despite poor past course history, Kim's recent elite form warrants heavy DFS exposure at his low price.

Tyler Tamboline expressed concerns regarding Michael Kim's chalk status at a bargain price of 5900, despite elite recent form. Tamboline emphasized that THE PLAYERS Championship historically has been an event where highly-owned lower-priced players struggle, pointing out the extremely deep and playable 5K-6K range this week. Due to numerous appealing alternatives like Doug Ghim, Alex Smalley, and Andrew Putnam, Tamboline believes Kim's ownership could come down slightly by the start time as players pivot elsewhere. He suggested DFS players considering Kim should strategically differentiate their lineups in other roster spots to mitigate chalk risk.

Jason Sobel strongly advised fading Michael Kim in DFS despite his great recent form simply because Kim's price is absurdly low ($6,000). Sobel indicates that Kim's cheap price at DraftKings will drive extremely high ownership across contests, remarking humorously, 'He's going to be owned by everybody.' Sobel made the strategic point that DFS tournament success frequently relies on zigging where everyone else zags, suggesting intentionally fading Kim just to gain leverage. Although Sobel fully acknowledged Kim's form and statistical profile as solid and reliable, he favors a game-theory strategy of avoiding chalky low-priced players who are likely massive public favorites and instead searching for differentiation.

Matt Every strongly endorses Michael Kim as a quality play at THE PLAYERS Championship, emphasizing Kim's impressive recent form and ideal ball flight characteristics for TPC Sawgrass. Every mentions chatting with Sean Foley, Kim's coach, who has been notably enthusiastic about Kim's performance. Kim has shown consistent quality golf recently, maintaining momentum from solid finishes earlier in the season. His 75-to-1 odds provide substantial value according to Every, who views Kim as someone bettors must have exposure to this week.

Matt Wiley highlighted Michael Kim as significantly underpriced on DraftKings given his outstanding recent form. Stewart agreed and emphasized Kim's rapid climb up 110 spots in official World Golf Rankings within the past five weeks, indicating an exceptional performance trajectory. Despite critique around Kim's ball flight tendencies and a possible leftward draw, Wiley’s statistical modeling consistently places Kim among the top-10 performers over recent three, six, and twelve-month timeframes, strengthening the case for him to be a valuable play at his current DFS pricing.

Paolo Uggetti highlighted Michael Kim as an undervalued sleeper at THE PLAYERS Championship, noting Kim's impressive rise from 155th to 52nd in the Official World Golf Ranking since the start of the year. Kim is playing arguably the best golf of his career, matching his elite junior days and strong college performances at UC Berkeley. After nearly seven years since his lone PGA Tour win at the 2018 John Deere Classic, Kim is trending upward significantly, particularly excelling at accurate ball striking. His strengths align especially well with TPC Sawgrass, which prioritizes accuracy over distance. Uggetti strongly recommended keeping an eye on Kim's continued breakout, positioning him as a smart value play at the event.