Michael Kim exemplifies the good that PGA Tour Signature Events can bring

Michael Kim has been on a tear as of late.

The first month of the year was not so glamorous as he had two missed cuts in three starts, but ever since the calendar turned to February he has really found his game.

Kim tied for second at the WM Phoenix Open and tied for 13th at both the Genesis and in Mexico. After that, he tied for sixth at the Cognizant Classic.

Kim is doing something right, as evidenced by the fact that he carded a round with multiple eagles for the first time in his career on Saturday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He is playing incredible golf lately, and doing so in the Signature Events on top of it. What is absurd to think about is what he had to do to get into them in the first place.

Kim qualified for the Genesis Invitational and this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational via the Aon Swing 5, an alternate way for players to get into the Signature Events. He has since taken advantage of this opportunity, performing well and earning some big-time FedExCup points as a result.

Since their establishment, the Signature Events have come with all sorts of debate. Ahead of this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, headlines and discussions surrounded the fact that Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler would not tee it up at Bay Hill. They were not eligible and did not receive an exemption. Spieth and Fowler are popular players, certainly more popular than Kim, but the point of the events is that they are supposed to be elevated and reward players who are playing well.

Kim is a great example of that. He is not the same name as others, but he buckled down, got to work, and has made the most of the opportunities he has been given. These are the stories that sports fans love to see, and good for Michael Kim that he took it upon himself to make it happen.