‘I Apologize’: Backlash From Xander Schauffele Forces Tom Kim To Withdraw Cursing Allegations

The 2024 Presidents Cup involved a lot of chaos. To take one instance, Tom Kim, after his terrible encounter with old friend Scottie Scheffler in the opening round, accused Team USA of bad sportsmanship on Friday. On Saturday, he was paired up with Si Woo Kim, against Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay from the American Team. They were defeated in the round. At the seventh hole, Si Woo Kim’s ball landed within three feet of the hole. This left him frustrated. At the post-round presser, Kim accused the members of ‘cursing at them’.

When addressed by the media Xander Schauffele said, “I mean, I can speak for myself. I felt like Pat and I treated the Kims with the utmost respect, we were trying to quiet the crowds when they were hitting. Just go back on film…it was fair to take, give and go.” He also added that he was certain that none of the players of the American team would do something like that. Well, after the final round on Sunday, Tom Kim was spooked talking with Xander Schauffele and the American Skipper Jim Furyk. So, what does it mean?

Tom Kim apologised to Team USA for false accusations

When he was asked about the conversation that he was having after the final round concluded at Royal Montreal, the 22-year-old professional took charge of the statement that he had made earlier. He went up to Xander Schauffele and Jim Furyk and stated that he did not mean what he said negatively.

“So I went to him and I said, I didn’t mean it that way. I apologize if it came out wrongly. It was just this and this happened, but if it affected you guys so negatively, I do apologize. I didn’t mean to do it in that way,” added Tom Kim. Explaining the cursing part, he stated that they must have come from outside the ropes, and he misunderstood it to be coming from the members of the American Team.

“It was just I felt like what I heard yesterday, some comments that I’ve heard was at that time, just coming off the green, it came to me so personally and just I felt like it was right to share,” said Kim. He went on to add that during his match with Patrick Cantlay and Schauffele, he did struggle quite a few times, yet they have been exceptional competitors. He also stated that he felt that there has always been great sportsmanship between them.

Was the apology a planned one?

Tom Kim went on to add how the Presidents Cup is all about doing things one would never do and creating an energy that would force one to do all those things. He added that everything that is said and done on the greens is solely about the game. When asked if he already had it in his mind to apologize to the US Team for his remarks, he said, “Absolutely. It came so negatively, which I never meant to do.”

Additionally, he stated that he was just awaiting the right time when he could share his thoughts. He had no intention of making his team feel uncomfortable during the tournament at Royal Montreal. And he surely did not want the other team to feel a certain way about them. According to him, his actions would have only been justified if he had gone up to them and shared what he meant when he commented.

What are your thoughts about the incident that took place last weekend? Share with us in the comments section below!