Nothing brings out a player’s competitive fire like match play, and on Thursday at the Presidents Cup, viewers got to witness some enthusiastic and chippy behavior between World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and one of his International opponents, Tom Kim.
While Kim made a name for himself with his exuberant celebrations at the 2022 Presidents Cup, Scheffler has a more reserved reputation. But a third of the way through their four-ball match with teammates Sungjae Im (International) and Russell Henley (U.S.), Kim and Scheffler shared a spirited exchange that raised eyebrows in the broadcast booth.
Scheffler and Henley were 2 up through 6 holes when Kim drained a lengthy birdie putt on the 7th, eliciting a big reaction, complete with double fist-pumps, a “Come on!” and “Let’s go!”
Scheffler then faced a 27-foot birdie putt of his own to answer, on a similar line to Kim’s. When it went in, Scheffler turned to Kim and shouted “Whuzzat?!!!” as in, What was that?!
It was an uncharacteristic display of emotion — and in-your-face taunting — which the broadcast team was quick to diffuse, reminding viewers that Kim and Scheffler are good friends who play much golf together outside of their competitive rounds on the PGA Tour. It should also noted, however, that Kim said he wants to take Scheffler down this week.
After the dramatic matching birdies, the group headed to the 8th hole with the Americans holding a 2-up lead. But then on the 8th green, Kim drained another lengthy birdie, this one from 24 feet. Another vocal celebration ensued, and Scheffler even picked up Kim’s ball and handed it to him without looking at him.
Scheffler had a makeable look to answer, but Kim and Im didn’t hang around, leaving Scheffler and Henley on the green and heading straight to the 9th tee without watching Scheffler putt — a breach of customary golf etiquette.
“It’s definitely a little chippy in this group right now,” said NBC on-course reporter John Wood.
“So they are not able to see him putting?” asked analyst Paul McGinley.
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“They are 60 yards away on the 9th tee and they’re not watching,” Wood replied.
The broadcast camera then panned to the 9th tee to show Im and Kim standing and waiting with their backs to the green.
“What do you think of that?” asked NBC’s Dan Hicks.
“Well, that’s bordering on bad behavior there,” McGinley said. “That’s disrespectful, in my opinion. I know it’s competitive out there. But that certainly shows you there’s an underlying edge here that’s not all fun and games.”
Scheffler missed the birdie putt, cutting his and Henley’s lead to 1 up.
Still, the Americans would go on to cruise, winning the match 3 and 2.
“That was a bit of fun,” Scheffler told Golf Channel’s Damon Hack afterward of the spiciness between him and Kim. “Same thing I would have done at home if we were playing against one another.”
He added with a smile, “We’re friends after [the match]. We’re not friends during.”