Tom Kim says U.S. team was cursing at him: It's not good 'sportsmanship'

MONTREAL - Tom Kim called out the American team's sportsmanship following his and Si Woo Kim's loss to Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele on Saturday, saying members from the opposing side took the competitive banter too far.

"I could hear some players cursing at us," Tom said. "... I don't think there was good sportsmanship there. But it's all part of the fun. I understand it. So the U.S. team definitely motivated us to go out there."

He later clarified these comments, saying the cursing came from the "American Team" and confirmed they did not come from Cantlay, Schauffele, nor their caddies, according to Golf Channel's Todd Lewis.

The Kims' match versus Cantlay and Schauffele was heated to say the least. It was a back-and-forth battle filled with incredible shots and emphatic celebrations that went down to the 18th hole.

The first sign of tension came on the seventh hole when Tom was forced to putt from 2 feet, 7 inches. He laid down his putter twice after he had made the putt, a gesture that signals the putt should have been conceded, which is a common occurrence on short putts in match play.

Later, Si Woo holed a remarkable chip from a severe lie on the 16th hole to level the match with two holes remaining. Si Woo did Steph Curry's "Goodnight" celebration while running across the green.

Cantlay and Schauffele said they were unbothered by Si Woo's reaction to the chip-in while denying they were swearing at either Kim.

"I felt like Pat and I treated the Kims with the utmost respect," Schauffele said. "... I have no clue if anyone was doing any of that. I don't believe any of our guys would do something like that. So I'm not sure what he was hearing."

Tom added he can understand why emotions get high during matches, but believes the Americans crossed the line.

"You see me out there throwing fist pumps and jumping on the green. It's all part of it, I get it," Tom said. "I just don't think there's a need to look at someone and curse at them. I just don't think there's a need for it."

Cantlay sealed the 1-up victory over the Kims with a 16-foot birdie putt to give the Americans an 11-7 lead ahead of Sunday.