Golfer Tom Kim complains of cursing at emotional Presidents Cup

MONTREAL – South Korea’s Tom Kim, an emotional spark for the International Team against the United States at the Presidents Cup, said he and compatriot Kim Si-woo were cursed at by opponents on Sept 28.

The duo were edged 1-up by Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele at Royal Montreal as the US team seized an 11-7 edge entering into the 12 final singles matches on Sept 29.

Both Kims holed long shots to win what became an emotional duel, with Si-woo making a Stephen Curry “goodnight” gesture after sinking a 40-foot chip from the greenside rough to win the 16th hole.

“My favourite NBA (National Basketball Association) player is Steph Curry, so that’s what I did,” Si-woo said.

“It didn’t finish well, but yeah, I was excited.”

Tom said the emotions brought out unsportsmanlike behaviour.

“As it got towards the end, it got a little feisty out there,” he said.

“I could hear some players cursing at us.

“I don’t think there was good sportsmanship there.

“But it’s all part of the fun. I understand it.

“The US team definitely motivated us to go out there.”

Tom, who sank a 38-foot putt to win the ninth, was encouraging fans to cheer and fist pump as clutch putts fell on the back nine.

“You see me out there throwing fist pumps and jumping on the green. It’s all part of it,” he said.

“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.

“My feelings don’t hurt at all.”

The second-ranked Schauffele, who won two Majors in 2024, and Cantlay said they knew nothing about any abuse directed towards their South Korean rivals.

“I felt like Pat and I, we treated the Kims with the utmost respect,” said Schauffele.

“We’re trying to quiet the crowds down when they were hitting.

“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.”

Cantlay said: “I didn’t even know what the goodnight gesture was until about 10 minutes ago... I don’t care what they do.

“I know they’re going to get amped up if they make birdies. They made a ton of birdies.

“They got amped up in front of the home crowd.

“That’s great for golf. We just made one more birdie.”

The Americans, who boast 13 of the world’s 25 top-ranked golfers, own a 12-1-1 lead in the all-time rivalry.

Down 11-7, the Internationals must capture 8.5 points from 12 singles matches to avoid a 10th consecutive defeat, their only win coming in 1998 at Royal Melbourne.

Sam Burns, who partnered Collin Morikawa on a 1-up win over Canada’s Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes, said he was giving back jibes to hecklers.

“If they’re going to come at me, why shouldn’t I go at them? That seems fair to me,” Burns said.

“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.

“You’ve got to let them know you’re not scared of what they say and you’re not afraid of a couple laughs with their buddies.”

The singles pairings for Sept 29 were made after the session, with Schauffele set to face Australian Jason Day in the first match.

Tom will face Burns next, followed by Scottie Scheffler against Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, South Korean Im Sung-jae against Russell Henley, Canada’s Taylor Pendrith against Cantlay and Si-woo against Keegan Bradley.

The last six singles matches see Canada’s Conners against Tony Finau, Aussie Min Woo Lee against Wyndham Clark, South Korean An Byeong-Hun against Sahith Theegala, Aussie Adam Scott against Morikawa, South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout against Brian Harman and Canadian Hughes against Max Homa. AFP