Tom Kim has accused the U.S. team of unsportsmanlike behavior during the ongoing Presidents Cup. The young golfer, known for his passionate golfing, including fist-pumping and friendly interactions with the crowd, has admitted his frustration over what he perceived as disrespectful conduct by some American players.
“It got a little feisty out there. I could hear some players cursing at us. 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 U.S. Team definitely motivated us to go out there,” Kim said. His performance to date has been mixed, with a record of 1-2, but his on-the-green excitement has been a notable highlight.
Kim, paired with Si Woo Kim, discussed what he considered crossing the line of sportsmanship.
“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.
Sungjae Im of South Korea and Tom Kim of South Korea and the International Team acknowledge the crowd on the first tee during Thursday’s Four-ball matches on day one of the 2024 Presidents Cup at The Royal Montreal Golf Club on September 26, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Kim has slated the American team for ‘unsportsmanlike behavior’.
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
“I understand it. I don’t get hurt about it. My feelings don’t hurt at all. I hope there’s no negative comments. That’s not what I’m trying to do here.”
In response to these allegations, U.S. team members Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele have firmly denied any such behavior. Schauffele was particularly vocal in defending their conduct.
“I felt like Pat and I, we treated the Kims with the utmost respect. We’re trying to quiet the crowds down when they were hitting. It was fair take, give and go,” he said.
“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 and the American team will be under intense scrutiny, particularly with upcoming matches ready to test these relationships further.
One such match involves Sam Burns, who has a reputation for vocal and interactions with both the crowd and his competitors.
“If they’re going to come at me, why shouldn’t I go at them? That seems fair to me. If people are going to shout out behind ropes or whatever and say whatever they want, just because I’m inside of them doesn’t mean I can’t yell back at them. I think there’s appropriate times for it,” Burns noted.
“I think you’ve got to let them know that you’re not scared of what they say and you’re not afraid of a couple laughs with their buddies. They think they tell a good joke. So, yeah, I like it.”
