Tom Kim has issued an apology after the PGA Tour star was criticized for hitting his putter into a green during the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship on Sunday.
PGA Tour standout Tom Kim has publicly apologized following criticism for causing damage to a green during the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship on Sunday.
Video footage surfaced showing Kim removing a section of the putting surface on the 12th hole at TPC Southwind after a missed birdie attempt in Memphis. The video quickly gained traction, igniting discussions among fans and commentators.
In response to the controversy on Instagram, Kim stated: “Hello everyone, I have been made aware of my display of frustration on the 12th green yesterday. I hold my peers and fans in high regard and would never deceive them.
“I was not conscious of the extent of the damage I caused to the green; had I known, I would have certainly repaired it before leaving. I acknowledge my mistake and accept full responsibility for my actions, and I will strive to improve in the future. Thank you for your understanding and support during a challenging year.”
His conduct on the course has been hotly debated online, with some golf enthusiasts suggesting that the young pro should face penalties for his actions.
Kim’s season took a disastrous turn over the course of three holes, marking the beginning of the end for him. While playing to secure a spot in the second FedEx Cup playoff at Castle Pines Golf Club, Kim’s season fell apart at the 16th on Sunday, ending his round – and season – with a bogey, double bogey, double bogey.
Prior to the unfortunate developments, the young golfer was excelling, positioned at four-under-par after 15 holes, having not recorded a single bogey until his first misstep. Despite a missed putt at the 12th hole, a resolute Kim managed to secure a birdie on the subsequent hole, only to face a decline in performance three holes later.
Although he had successfully achieved birdies on the par-five 16th in two of his last three rounds, the South Korean encountered difficulties in a bunker on Sunday, resulting in a bogey on that hole. A visibly exasperated Kim then approached the second-to-last hole, where his circumstances rapidly worsened.
Despite finding the fairway, his inaccurate approach shots and a three-putt led to a double bogey, followed by another double bogey on the next hole, ultimately placing him in a tie for 50th at one-under for the week. Regrettably for Kim, this signified the conclusion of his tournament, as he failed to secure one of the 50 available spots for the BMW Championship.