Tom Kim was given a warning, and will not be punished, for a locker-room incident that resulted in property damage.
Kim, 22, lipped out a putt for the win on the 72nd hole of the DP World Tour’s Genesis Championship in South Korea in late October, and proceeded to lose in a sudden death playoff to Ben An. Following the round, the JoongAng Daily reported that Kim broke the door to his locker, with a photo showing the door hanging by its hinges.
Kim took to Instagram, saying there was a lot of “false reporting” and that he had no intent on damaging anything.
“After the loss I was frustrated, yes absolutely, but I can assure you with absolute truth that I had no intent on damaging any part of the locker not a single bit,” Kim wrote. “I addressed it with the DP World Tour and the KPGA right after the incident saying that the door game off … I also let them know that I was willing to pay all expenses for the damage.” At the time Kim had said the matter was closed and he did not expect disciplinary measures.
On Wednesday, the Korea Professional Golfers’ Association (which co-sanctioned the Genesis event) issued a warning for Kim’s actions, with the Korea KoongAng Daily reporting Kim “failed to maintain dignity” after the tournament.
It’s been an interesting few months for Kim. In August he created a social-media storm for damaging a green with his putter at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, and though he turned in an entertaining performance at the Presidents Cup, Kim’s antics—coupled with calling out the American team for unsportsmanlike behavior—made more headlines than his play.
Main Image: Han Myung-Gu
