Tom Kim's sports appeal? This reviewer has no sympathy

Tom Kim was the breakout star of the 2022 Presidents Cup, and his legend continues to grow this week at Royal Montreal.

Even with a 1-2-0 record so far, Kim has established himself as an emotional team leader, with passionate celebrations – and game-changing touches – that have served to pump up the home crowd and lift his American rivals.

But after enduring an 18th-round loss to Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele in Saturday afternoon's foursomes while paired with teammate Si Woo Kim, Kim accused unsportsmanlike conduct on the American side.

“I think the beginning of the round was really difficult [to stay energized]but as it got towards the end, there was chaos there,” said Kim. “I could hear other players insulting us. That part wasn't really there – I don't think there was a good game there. But it's all part of the fun. I understand it. So the American team encouraged us to go outside. “

Which American player – or players – crossed the line with Kim on Saturday? He didn't name names, but on Saturday night's “Live From the Presidents Cup” show on the Golf Channel, reporter Rex Hoggard confirmed that he saw US tweets directed at Kim.

“I think the incident he's talking about happened on the 11th hole,” Hoggard said. “If you remember that hole – it was a bit of a transition. It looked like the International team was in trouble off the tee. They ended up taking a stab, they made a really good par, they celebrated, as they did almost all afternoon, Patrick Cantlay poured a par putt behind him. They celebrated again.

“When Tom Kim came off the green, the other members of the team, the American team, the team behind inside the ropes, were shouting, very loud, talking very loudly. I think that's where this incident happened [came from].”

The Golf Channel's Todd Lewis asked Hoggard for more details.

“Were they loud and vocal in general, or were they loud and speaking for Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim?” Lewis said.

“It was directed at Tom Kim,” Hoggard said. “I didn't see anything directed at Si Woo Kim.”

In his post-round interview, Kim emphasized that he is not against the charged atmosphere of the event, but it is a curse.

“You see me coming out throwing punches and jumping on the green,” he said. “It's all part of it, I get it. I just don't think there is any need to look at someone and insult them. I just don't think there is a need for it.

“I understand you. I'm not hurt by it. My feelings are never hurt. I hope there are no negative comments. That's not what I'm trying to do here.”

But as the Golf Channel's “Live From” crew picked up on Kim's comments and Hoggard's context Saturday evening, commentator Johnson Wagner took issue with Kim's decision to air his grievances about the incident publicly.

“So Tom Kim, he didn't want to make a big deal about it – why did he bring it up at the press conference?” Wagner said. “It was a big thing. Let's go back to Thursday, when he made that putt on the 8th hole and walked and walked and stopped on the 9th. He was trying to get under Scottie Scheffler's skin at the time. Can you give but not take?

“And again, Thursday after the round, he was insulting their fans here,” Wagner continued. “So I think, we talked about the Poulter influence or the Patrick Reed influence. Tom Kim has set himself up that way, once you're there, you have to be able to deal with it, deal with the things that come with it. “

The international team has a tough road to climb on Sunday, trailing the US 11-7. Tom Kim will face Sam Burns in the second singles match of the day, beginning at 12:14 pm ET. You can find everything you need to know about how to watch the action here.

Golf.com Editor

As a four-year member of Columbia's first varsity golf class, Jessica knows how to outrun everyone on the golf course. He can pass them through the office, too, where he is primarily responsible for producing both print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF's first Style Issue, which began in February 2018. His first interview series, “A Round With,” released in November 2015, and appeared in both magazine and video form on GOLF.com.