Tom Kim was less than pleased with how Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele conducted themselves on the third day of the Presidents Cup.
Teaming up with Si Woo Kim, the International Team attempted to climb back from an 8-6 deficit before the final day and it appeared as if some tensions boiled over on the seventh hole. Team USA's putt was given to them and after Si Woo chipped a ball that landed within three feet of the hole, the International Team was hoping for similar grace.
It was not given, however, forcing Tom to tap in the ball. As he did so, the 22-year-old laid his putter on the ground to show the distance between the ball and the hole. More than anything, it was his way of showing the putt should have been given though it appeared as if his intended audience did not see his defiance.
As Tom's ball fell into the hole, Cantlay and Schauffele had already begun walking to the next hole, so the 22-year-old's show was only for his teammate Si Woo. After Tom picked up his ball, he appeared to be still agitated by having to putt the ball from such a close distance, shaking his head as he caught up to Si Woo.
A similar instance occurred during the Ryder Cup in 2021. After being denied a gimme by Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland, Bryson DeChambeau did a similar gesture, placing his putter on the green as he stared at Fleetwood and Hovland as if to say they should have conceded the putt.
Fans on social media did not like Tom's act with many writing that if was such an easy tap-in for the star , he should have no problem doing so. Still, this latest incident highlights an interesting last handful of days for Tom and his journey playing in the Presidents Cup.
Facing off against Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley, Tom and the world No. 1 had an exchange of words and showed off their competitive spirit, despite the two being close friends. On the 7th hole Thursday, Tom sunk a long birdie, giving the International Team the spark it needed to compete and let out a roar as a result.
Seeing this, Scheffler too sunk a long putt to get back at his friend. As the ball was dropping, Scheffler turned and looked at Tom, shouting "WHAT WAS THAT?" in his friend's direction. In turn, Tom just smiled and waved his hand as he and his teammate Sungjae Im walked to the next hole.
After the contest, Tom explained his side of the story and explained how he did not want to undercut his friend in any way. "It wasn't trying to be cheap or do anything like that. We were focused on our own game," the South Korean revealed . "He's (Scheffler) a good friend. But at the same time, this week I don't like him. I want to beat him so bad, and I'm sure he feels the same way.
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Scheffler echoed Tom's sentiments. "I would have done the same thing back at home," he said. "It's all in good fun. We're friends after. We're not friends during."
However, US assistant captain Kevin Kisner was less than impressed with the display. Speaking with the Golf Channel , the 40-year-old made it clear he was not a fan of the back-and-forth between Tom and Scheffler.
"They took gamesmanship too far and over the line on sportsmanship and lose some integrity," Kisner said. "I thought it was pretty bush league and I told Camilo that if that’s the way they want to do it, then game on. If you can p--- off my No. 1 player in the world, then I’m all for it!"
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