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Tom Kim's ion on the golf course is well-known, but during Saturday's intense Presidents Cup foursomes match, the Korean golfer claims the U.S. players took things too far. After a tight 1-down defeat to Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, Kim shared that some American players used inappropriate language towards him and his teammate, Si Woo Kim.
"As it got towards the end, it got a little feisty out there," Kim explained. "I could hear some players cursing at us. I don't think there was good sportsmanship there, but it's part of the game. I understand it."
A heated battle and unexpected exchanges
The match was filled with excitement as the Kims battled hard, delivering impressive shots and emotional celebrations. Si Woo Kim's birdie on the par-4 16th, following an incredible flop shot, tied the match and led to a bold celebration with the famous "night-night" gesture, popularized by NBA star Steph Curry.
But as the match approached its conclusion, the tone shifted. Patrick Cantlay sank a crucial birdie putt on the 18th green to secure the win for the U.S. team. While the players shook hands cordially after the match, Kim revealed in his post-round comments that he and Si Woo were targeted by some U.S. players with expletives.
"You see me out there throwing fist pumps and celebrating. I get that. But there's no need to curse at someone," Kim said. "My feelings aren't hurt by it, but I don't think it's necessary, and I'm not trying to start any drama."
Mixed reactions from the U.S. team
When asked for details, Kim did not name the players responsible. However, Schauffele denied any inappropriate behavior on his part or from his partner, Cantlay. "I felt like Pat and I treated the Kims with respect. We even tried to quiet the crowd when they were hitting," Schauffele said in his press conference. "I have no clue if anyone else was doing anything like that."
Golf Channel's Todd Lewis later confirmed that Tom Kim did hear "PG, inflammatory" comments from of the U.S. team, though none of the remarks came from Schauffele, Cantlay, or their caddies.
Despite the tension, Kim remained focused on the positives of the competition, acknowledging that emotions run high during such events. However, his comments have sparked discussions about sportsmanship and the intensity of international team competitions.