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22-year-old Tom Kim is one of the top rising stars in the golf world today, but the South Korean superstar is in hot water after a temper tantrum on Sunday.
Kim lost the Genesis Championship at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon, South Korea to countryman Ben An after lipping out a birdie putt on the 18th hold and losing in a playoff.
After the loss, he proceeded to destroy one of the club’s lockers, ripping it entirely off its hinges.
PGA Tour player Tom Kim breaks locker after playoff loss in S. Korea https://t.co/6m1bid6rwo
— Yonhap News Agency (@YonhapNews) October 28, 2024
Korean media outlet Yonhap News Agency reports that Kim damaged the locker out of frustration and now faces further potential further punishment from the KPGA.
“The KPGA Tour plans to pay the golf club for repair and later ask Kim to cover the cost,” the report states. “The South Korean tour is also considering opening disciplinary proceedings against Kim, who won the Korean tour’s money title, scoring title and Player of the Year award in 2021.”
The flare-up continues a controversial couple of months for Kim, who also got into a heated exchange with good friend Scottie Scheffler at the Presidents Cup in September.
Kim also got into it with the U.S. team of Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay.
“I think the start of the round was definitely a little harder, but as it got towards the end, it got a little feisty out there. I could hear some players cursing at us,” he said after he and Si-Woo Kim lost the foursomes matchup . “That part wasn’t really … I don’t think there was good sportsmanship there. But it’s all part of the fun. I understand it. So the U.S. team definitely motivated us to go out there.”
At just 22, it’s not surprising to see that Kim has a little bit of maturing to do. But it seems he’s continually in the news for everything but his play as of late. Which is a shame, because he has the game to be a future major champion.