Things get ugly between close friends at the Presidents Cup.
Tom Kim and Scottie Scheffler had a heated exchange Thursday during a four-ball game in Montreal, the first day of the event pitting Americans against international teams.
Kim sank a long putt on the 8th hole, drawing cheers.
Scheffler cut the hole in half with his own long putt, then yelled at Kim, “What's that?”
A similar development occurred on the ninth hole.
Kim sank a long putt for birdie and Scheffler tied the score. However, while Scheffler adjusted his putt, Kim and his partner Im Sung-jae left the ninth green, a move considered bad form in these tournaments.
“Well, that's almost egregious,” Golf Channel analyst Paul McGinley said. “In my opinion, that's disrespectful. I know there's a lot of competition, but it certainly shows there are potential benefits that it's not just fun and games.”
Scheffler missed the putt, giving Kim and Im a hole, and the match closed to a one-point gap between Scheffler and partner Russell Henry heading into the back nine.
According to the broadcast, co-captain Kevin Kisner and Camilo Villegas had a less-than-friendly conversation after the incident.
Kisner reportedly sent a text message to Golf Channel analyst Brad Faxon, telling Villegas, “If that's what you're going for, just keep playing.”
The Presidents Cup is not as competitive as the Ryder Cup, which pits the United States against Europe.
But Kim reinvigorated the event two years ago with an emotional celebration at Quail Hollow.
Kim, who was born in South Korea, currently lives near Scheffler in Dallas.
The two are very close to the course.
“We tried. We gave it our all, but it wasn't enough,” Kim wrote on Instagram after Scheffler beat him in the Travelers Championship playoffs in June. “Congratulations (Scheffler). You deserve everything you have accomplished. You are a true champion, but an even greater friend.”
