It seems Rickie Fowler kickstarted a viral trend for single players. Last year, Viktor Hovland jumped on the bandwagon, and now Tom Kim is happy to follow suit. In Montreal, during the Presidents Cup photoshoot, the South Korean team members posed with their wives or partners. But Tom Kim is still single.
The three-time winner posed with Si Woo Kim, Sungjae Im, and Byeong Hun An. The WAGs stood in front of the players. The 22-year-old, standing in the middle, said, “I will have it on. I’m the only single guy here.” This has become an increasingly popular trend. Marc Leishman recreated it just days ago after Ripper GC’s LIV Golf Team Championship triumph.
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Last year, Viktor Hovland brought vice-captain, Jose Maria Olazabal to the Ryder Cup gala as his partner. And then posed with him again as the victorious European team kissed their wives.
But the trend was first started by Rickie Fowler in the 2016 edition of the patriotic showdown. Fowler, the only single guy on the team back then, shrugged at the camera as all his teammates kissed their partners or wives. It turns out it was too funny to do just once. Tom Kim’s subtle recreation of that viral moment caught fans’ eyes as well.
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Tom Kim is the ‘International’ Rickie Fowler
Tom Kim’s subtle homage to Rickie Fowler took everyone back to the 2016 Ryder Cup. Kim surely gave “Rickie Fowler vibes” as many pointed out. However, Fowler is now a married person, tying the knot with longtime sweetheart, Allison Stokke. Kim, 22, is “the international version of Rickie Fowler,” as long as he doesn’t get married, according to one user. Another user commented along similar lines, “The Asian Ricky Fowler.”
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Rickie Fowler's single status—Is it a distraction or his secret weapon for the showdown?
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If the International team emerges victorious on Sunday, will Kim replicate Viktor Hovland’s moment too? Last year, Hovland posed with the Ryder Cup, surrounded by every other player’s wives. There are surely some who want a similar Presidents Cup photo for Tom Kim. “[Tom Kim] needs a Viktor Hovland Ryder Cup photo with the other wives…,” wrote another user.
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The South Korean youngster has netted three PGA Tour titles already and was on the verge of his fourth this year. Referring to his achievements, one fan joked, “Married to the game.” He might as well be. Kim has yet to be linked with anyone and has not discussed his dating life or future plans.
Singles guys tend to perform well in the patriotic showdown. Rickie Fowler went 2-1-0 at Hazeltine in 2016. Viktor Hovland was the star of the European show last year, earning 3 points from a possible four. Can Tom Kim replicate that feat as well? Only time will tell.
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Rickie Fowler's single status—Is it a distraction or his secret weapon for the showdown?