MONTREAL (AFP) – Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and South Korea’s Tom Kim got involved in a spat that rankled feelings on Thursday as the United States (US) swept to a 5-0 lead at the Presidents Cup.
The friends were at the heart of a dispute that sparked complaints of gamesmanship at Royal Montreal, where the Americans swept four-balls to seize command in quest of a 10th consecutive triumph.
Scheffler and Russell Henley beat Kim and Im Sung-jae 3 and 2 in the most lopsided day one result.
Kim delivered a fist pump and some trash talk to Scheffler after sinking a 27-foot birdie putt at the par-3 seventh, only for the US star to sink his own 27-foot birdie putt to tie the hole and respond.
“Looked like he poked the bear, from my perspective,” Scheffler said.
For Kim, it was good-natured jabbing as they would do in rounds together.
“That’s how we play back at home,” Kim said. “It’s all fun. I made it on top of him and he gave it to me, and I gave it back. I don’t shy away from him. 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.”
