Tom Kim lashes out at 'false reporting' of locker room incident in South Korea
Tom Kim claims there has been 'false reporting' over what transpired in the locker room after he lost in a playoff to Ben An at the Genesis Championship.
PGA Tour pro Tom Kim claims there has been 'false reporting' of what transpired after the final round of the Genesis Championship in South Korea.
Kim, 22, lost in a playoff to Ben An at the DP World Tour event last weekend at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Incheon.
The golfer lipped out for birdie at the 72nd hole and had it dropped he would've landed his fourth title since turning professional.
Instead, he lost on the first playoff hole with An which included thinning a wedge shot.
Kim was understandably frustrated and reports from Korean publications initially suggested that he was possibly facing disciplinary action for breaking a locker.
The South Korean confirmed in a statement on 28 September that he was frustrated and didn't intend to cause damage.
He says he was told to remove the locker from its hinges for 'safety reasons'.
According to Kim, the matter is now closed and he is not facing any further disciplinary action from the Korean Professional Golfers' Association.
"There has been a lot of speculation about the incident after my round yesterday at the Genesis Championship in my home country," he 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.
Kim also reiterated that after he apologised the matter was considered closed.
"I apologize with all of my heart," he wrote.
Read his full statement here:
This is not the first time Kim has had to apologise this season.
During the FedEx St. Jude Championship he left a dent on the 12th green at TPC Southwind with his putter.
Kim later said he wasn't aware of the damage he left behind and apologised.
Read more about that here.
