Tom Kim lashes out at 'false reporting' about locker room incident

PGA Tour pro Tom Kim claims there has been ‘false reporting’ about it what happened after the final round of the Genesis Championship in South Korea.

Kim, 22, lost in a play-off to Ben An at the DP World Tour event at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Incheon last weekend.

The golfer made a birdie on the 72nd hole and had he dropped it, he would have won his fourth title since turning pro.

Instead, he lost on the first playoff hole with An, which included diluting a wedge shot.

Kim was understandably frustrated and reports from Korean publications initially suggested he could face disciplinary action for breaking a locker.

The South Korean confirmed in a statement on September 28 that he was frustrated and had no intention of causing harm.

He says he was told to take the locker off its hinges for “security reasons.”

According to Kim, the matter is now closed and he will face no further disciplinary action by the Korean Professional Golfers’ Association.

The locker (Credit: Yonhap News Agency)

“There has been a lot of speculation about the incident following 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 clear it up.

“It is 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 intention of damaging any part of the vault even a little bit.”

He added: “I discussed it with the DP World Tour and the KPGA immediately after the incident and said the door opened.