[TOM KIM IMAGE: Jared C. Tilton]
Tom Kim’s theatrical performance at the Presidents Cup may have worn thin with American fans. But according to Kim, it’s the US side that crossed a line.
Following a loss to Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele on Saturday evening, Kim accused players from the United States of cussing at him and teammate Si Woo Kim.
“I think the start of the round was definitely a little harder, but as it got towards the end, it got a little feisty out there. I could hear some players cursing at us,” Kim said. “That part wasn’t really – I don’t think there was good sportsmanship there. But it’s all part of the fun. I understand it. So the US team definitely motivated us to go out there.”
Later in the interview, Kim doubled-down on his assertion: “You see me out there throwing fist pumps and jumping on the green. It’s all part of it, I get it. I just don’t think there’s a need to look at someone and curse at them. I just don’t think there’s a need for it.”
Kim said he didn’t take offence to what was being said, although did not clarify what was said and by who.
“I understand it. I don’t get hurt about it,” Kim said. “My feelings don’t hurt at all. I hope there’s no negative comments. That’s not what I’m trying to do here. I just feel like there’s always little things, like what could I have done better? It’s just certain things like that. I put my partner in some tough positions, and that to me is the most frustrating part of the day.”
When Cantlay and Schauffele entered the press room and were asked about the situation, both said they had no idea what Kim was talking about.
“I mean, I can speak for myself. I felt like Pat and I, we treated the Kims with the utmost respect,” Schauffele said.
“We’re trying to quiet the crowds down when they were hitting. We’re trying to quiet the crowd – go back on film, quiet the crowds down when we were hitting. It was fair take, give and go. I have no clue if anyone was doing any of that. I don’t believe any of our guys would do something like that. So I’m not sure what he was hearing.”
Kim is 1-2 in three matches at the Presidents Cup. He plays Sam Burns in a singles match on Sunday.
