Sky Sports pundit blasts ‘disrespectful’ golfers for controversial act as rival fumes ‘they lost integrity’
TOM KIM has been blasted for his “disrespectful” antics at the Presidents Cup.
The golfer was also accused of “losing integrity” during Thursday’s opening fourballs.
Kim and partner Im Sung-jae took on the USA’s Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley in Montreal.
However, Scheffler and Kim clashed on the front nine during the American pair’s 3&2 victory.
After nailing a 27-foot putt for birdie at the seventh hole, Kim fist-pumped and shouted “Let’s go!”
Scheffler also birdied the hole before yelling: “What was that?”
The back-and-forth continued on the eighth as Kim celebrated strongly again after another long-putt for birdie.
He then left the hole for the ninth tee before Scheffler missed his own birdie attempt.
Kim’s behaviour has since been criticised, with USA assistant captain Kevin Kisner telling the Golf Channel: “They took gamesmanship too far and over the line on sportsmanship and lost some integrity.”
Meanwhile, Sky Sports pundit Paul McGinley said: “That’s bordering on bad behaviour… that’s disrespectful in my opinion.”
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Addressing the incident, Kim explained: “There was no reason to stay there and look at him putt. It doesn’t help us at all.
“It wasn’t trying to be cheap or do anything like that. We were focused on our own game.
“He’s 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.”
Scheffler also played it down, adding: “I would have done the same thing back at home. It’s all in good fun. We’re friends after. We’re not friends during.”
The USA won each of the opening fourball clashes to race into a 5-0 lead.
Their opponents have since fought back, with the International team trailing 11-7 heading into Sunday’s final day.