"He's up there": Tom Kim points to golf superstar as "best trash-talker" on tour

South Korean golfer Tom Kim will be making his debut at the Grant Thornton Invitational this year. He is paired with fellow debutant and 2024 CME Group Tour champion Atthaya Thitikul.

Recently, Kim took part in Jessica Korda's fun Q & A session on Instagram where the latter asked the participating golfers some fan questions. Kim was asked who the "best trash talker" on the Tour is. He pointed towards the World no. 1 and his best friend before breaking into laughter.

"(Scottie) Scheffler. He is up there," he said.

Image via @thejessicakorda

Tom Kim and Scottie Scheffler are close friends. However, the two had a little skirmish during the 2024 Presidents Cup in Montreal. During the opening four-balls the duo was up against each other along with their respective partners Russell Henley and Im Sung-jae.

Kim and Scheffler had a fiery exchange after the former celebrated his 27-feet birdie putt on the seventh hole with a fist bump and a "let's go." Scheffler retorted with his own birdie that halved the hole and yelled, "What was that?" After another celebration from Kim's side, he and Sung-jae Im left for the adjacent ninth tee l, even before their opponent could make his birdie attempt, which he missed.

Kim and Sung-jae attracted criticism for the move but the South Korean golfer explained his intention behind walking ahead. He said (via BBC):

"There was no reason to stay there and look at him putt. It doesn't help us at all. It wasn't trying to be cheap or do anything like that. We were focused on our own game,"

He further added:

"He's a good friend. But at the same time, this week I don't like him. I want to beat him so bad, and I'm sure he feels the same way,"

Scheffler agreed with Kim's statement, saying:

"I would have done the same thing back at home. It's all in good fun. We're friends after. We're not friends during,"

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"For one week, I absolutely dislike him" - Tom Kim on Scottie Scheffler

In Picturs: Tom Kim and Scottie Scheffler (Source: Getty)

Off the course, Tom Kim and Scottie Scheffler are best friends. However, when they step onto the golf course, especially during team events like the Presidents Cup, they become fierce competitors.

Ahead of the 2024 Presidents Cup, Kim reflected on his frienship with the World No. 1. Here's what he said (via the PGA Tour):

"We’re comfortable with each other, I play a lot of golf with him back home. For one week, I absolutely dislike him,"

Notably, Tom Kim won't be facing Scottie Scheffler at the Grant Thornton Invitational. However, he will face some tough competition. He and Atthaya Thitikul will tee off against 2023 runner-ups Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners at 10:15 am ET on Friday.