While Tom Kim may not yet have the best record in the Presidents Cup in the early stages of his career, there is surely no question at all that the event is much better off for having the South Korean involved.
Tom Kim was the spark the International team needed at the 2022 Presidents Cup, producing some amazing moments at Quail Hollow as Trevor Immelman’s side looked to recover from going 8-2 down over the first two days.
And it was the youngster who tried to lift the crowds on the opening day at Royal Montreal. Kim was involved in that incredible moment with Scottie Scheffler, as they both produced outbursts after holing lengthy putts.
It was Kim and Si-woo Kim who won the Internationals’ only point on Saturday morning, while they took Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay all the way in the afternoon. Few will ever forget Si-woo Kim’s celebration after holing out on 16.
What Tom Kim did after his match with Sam Burns at the Presidents Cup
Things did get feisty. Wyndham Clark could be seen mocking the International pairing after Cantlay won the match, and Kim would go on to claim that an unnamed member of the American group swore at him at one stage during the day.
Obviously, it is important that no-one crossed the line. But some may have also been disappointed in Kim for making that situation public. It may not have been the best look after a poor day for Mike Weir’s men.
As it turns out, Kim himself was not pleased with his actions. Speaking on the Golf Channel Podcast, Ryan Lavner suggested that the 22-year-old made sure to catch up with the opposition captain after he was finished on Sunday.
“Mildly, if not moderately wining at the players he claimed had cussed him out afterwards, Tom Kim was clearly subdued I thought during his singles match with Sam Burns, which resulted in a tie,” he said.
“He even went up to Xander Schauffele and Jim Furyk afterward to apologise, saying he didn’t mean any ill-harm with his words, was basically just voicing some of his frustration in the aftermath of what was yet another 3-1 session win for the Americans.”
The Presidents Cup is infinitely better for having players like Tom Kim
That is a touch of class from Kim. Ultimately, if someone on the American side has sworn at him, he has every right to be upset. And it is easy to forget just how young he still is because he has been around for some time now.
Clearly, he should not have chosen the press conference to publicise the events, but it is remarkable that he did decide to apologise to Furyk and Schauffele.
The Presidents Cup is likely to take a lot of flak in the coming weeks after another comfortable American win. But it is players like Kim who should remind everyone just how much the event still means to many.
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