Report: Tom Kim vandalised locker room after playoff defeat in Korea

PGA Tour golfer Tom Kim caused damage to a locker at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club after he lost in a playoff to Ben An, according to a report. 

An triumphed at the DP World Tour over the weekend after coming up clutch down the stretch. 

The 33-year-old made an eight-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole in South Korea to force a playoff with the aforementioned Kim. 

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He then birdied the first extra hole as Kim skulled his wedge shot. 

For An, it represented his first victory on the DP World Tour since the 2015 BMW PGA Championship. 

Kim, who caused a stir at last month's Presidents Cup, was clearly frustrated at the near-miss. 

So much so, he is said to have taken his anger out on the men's locker room door (pictured below). 

According to Korea JoongAng Daily, the Korean Professional Golfers' Association is now considering taking disciplinary action against Kim. 

They will pay for the door to be repaired and expense Kim, it is claimed. 

Kim appears to have confirmed the report is true, telling Korean publication Sports Donga that it was 'his fault' and he will 'reflect on his action'. 

The report stated:

"The KPGA is set to pay for the vandalized door first and make Kim compensate it for the expense later. The association is also examining holding a disciplinary committee for the 22-year-old."

Update:

Kim has now given his version of events by writing a lengthy statement on his Instagram account.

He denied that he is facing further disciplinary action and the matter is now closed. 

"There has been a lot of speculation about the incident after my round yesterday at the Genesis Championship in my home country," Kim wrote.

"There has been a lot of false reporting and I wanted to clean things up.

"It's important that the information comes directly from me, openly and honestly.

"After the loss I was frustrated, yes absolutely... but I can assure you with absolute truth that I had no intent of damaging any part of the locker not a single bit."

He added: "I addressed it with the DP World Tour and the KPGA right after the incident saying that the door came off.

"We had to fully pull it out due to safety reasons, I also let them know that I was willing to pay all expenses for the damage."

Analysis by Ben Smith

Tom Kim is fast developing a reputation for controversy. 

During the 2024 Presidents Cup, Kim and World No.1 Scottie Scheffler were involved in a spat as the U.S. raced to a 5-0 lead. 

Kim and his playing partner Sungjae Im were accused of disrespectful behaviour when they left the hole they were playing on for the next tee box before Scheffler had a chance to putt. 

The move was regarded as not in keeping within the spirit of the game. 

U.S. assistant Kevin Kisner said the duo took gamesmanship 'too far'. 

Both players shrugged off what transpired but Kim was involved in more contention over the weekend when he accused the U.S. team of cursing at him directly. 

Wyndham Clark is said to have been the culprit, but the 2023 U.S. Open champion has said any expletives he used were aimed at pumping up his own team mates. 

Kim also faced a backlash after he damaged a green with his putter during the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind. 

He had missed a putt and lashed out in frustration. 

Golf fans on social media were quick to implore the PGA Tour to take disciplinary action. 

Kim apologised. 

Although you could argue these outbursts are relatively minor, one could suggest that he continually lets his emotions get the better of him. 

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