Tom Kim claims the International fans were not vocal enough to help rally the team as they slumped to a 5-0 whitewash in the opening fourballs session at the Presidents Cup.
Tom Kim believes the International fans were not loud enough as the United States ran riot in the first-day fourballs at the Presidents Cup.
Jim Furyk’s Team USA whitewashed Mike Weir’s Internationals 5-0 on Thursday at Royal Montreal Golf Club in Canada.
Kim, 22, and his playing partner Sungjae Im were defeated 3&2 by World No.1 Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley
Scheffler and Kim were locked in a fiesty encounter as they exchanged birdies on 7.
Kim gave it large, Scheffler went even larger.
Things then escalated further on the 8th green after Kim drained his birdie putt.
Kim and Im were encouraged by captain’s assistant Camilo Villegas to walk on to the 9th tee without even staying by the green to watch Scheffler putt out.
In the eyes of commentator and former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, it was a sign of ‘disrespect’ and ‘bad behaviour’ from the International team.
Scheffler spoke about it all after the match.
Last month, Kim was heavily criticised for damaging a green. He then issued an apology.
There were also victories for the four other American pairings on Thursday.
Xander Schauffele and Tony Finau took down Ben An and Jason Day in the top match 1up, before Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala saw off Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee by the same scoreline.
Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns defeated Hideki Matsuyama and Corey Conners in the bottom match 3&2, and then Wyndham Clark and Keegan Bradley made it 5-0 with another 1up victory on the 18th.
USA are seeking a 10th straight victory at the Presidents Cup, and after the first day’s play it would seem like a walk in the park for the stars and stripes to reach at least 15.5 points.
But back to the top of the story, and Kim wasn’t best pleased with the crowd noise despite his best efforts to get them going from the 1st.
Kim said of the International spectators:
“I think it was a little too quiet today being on home soil.
“I don’t think the fans were really — I wish they would have helped us out a bit more, especially being in Canada. I know how much they love golf.
“I’m definitely expecting more crowds to be louder and for them to be on our side.”
International captain Weir wasn’t quite as disappointed about the crowd noise.
He even hinted his team needed to give the fans more to feed off.
But the Canadian did concede the crowds will be getting louder over the weekend.
Scroll down for Weir’s comments…
“I thought the crowds were good today,” said Weir.
“I think you get a little momentum going on your side, that’s when the crowds can get going.
“I think everybody is excited, nervous, and I think the crowds are going to be louder and louder as we go along here.”
On being 5-0 down, Weir said: “Our guys are so very positive, but the reality is it wasn’t a great day. There is a long way to go, significant sessions left. That’s where we are looking at it. The energy remains good in our room.”
The 5-0 whitewash marks just the fourth time in the history of the Presidents Cup that a team has achieved such a feat.
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