Tom Kim lashes out at team US, calls them ‘unsportsmanlike’ after players curse at him on Day 3 of Presidents Cup

Tom Kim Criticizes Team USA for Poor Sportsmanship After Day 3 of Presidents Cup

Following the third day of competition at the Presidents Cup, South Korean golfer Tom Kim expressed his frustration with Team USA, accusing them of poor sportsmanship. Kim alleged that he overheard some of the American players directing curse words toward him during the round, a behavior he found unacceptable on the course.

Kim participated in two events on Saturday, September 28: the morning fourball and the afternoon foursomes. Partnering with Si Woo Kim, the duo secured a decisive 4&3 victory in the fourball match. However, they fell short in the afternoon foursomes, narrowly losing 1-up to the American team. Despite their mixed results, the day ended on a sour note for Kim as he publicly called out Team USA’s behavior.

Reflecting on the atmosphere during the matches, Kim described how the intensity increased as the day progressed. “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,” Kim said. “I could hear some players cursing at us. That part wasn’t really — I don’t think there was good sportsmanship there.”

While disappointed by the conduct, Kim also acknowledged that such moments are part of the competitive spirit of golf. “But it’s all part of the fun. I understand it. So the US Team definitely motivated us to go out there,” he added, emphasizing that the incident didn’t deter his focus or passion for the game.

Kim made it clear that he wasn’t holding a grudge against the U.S. team, nor did he feel personally offended. However, he stressed that there was no place for negative remarks in a game that should be built on mutual respect. “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. I understand it. I don’t get hurt about it. My feelings don’t hurt at all. I hope there’s no negative comments,” Kim said, encouraging better behavior moving forward.

Despite the incident, Kim acknowledged that he too enjoys expressing his emotions on the course and is not opposed to displays of passion. His main concern lay in the inappropriate language directed toward players during the heat of competition.

As the Presidents Cup enters its final day, Tom Kim will have the opportunity to continue his fight for Team International. In Sunday’s singles session on September 29, Kim is set to face off against Sam Burns, a key member of Team USA. The singles session kicks off at 12:02 p.m. ET, with Xander Schauffele and Jason Day starting the action. Kim and Burns are scheduled to tee off shortly after, at 12:14 p.m. ET, marking the start of what is expected to be an intense day of competition.

With tensions rising and both teams eager to secure victory, all eyes will be on how players conduct themselves during these crucial final matches. Tom Kim’s comments may serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining respect and sportsmanship, even in the most heated moments of the game.