S. Korean youngster Tom Kim hopes for 'revenge' vs. top-ranked Scheffler at Presidents Cup

SEOUL, Sept. 25 (Yonhap) -- They share their birthday and often practice together. But for this week at least, South Korean golfer Tom Kim will try to forget about his friendship with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and beat him and the mighty Americans at the Presidents Cup in Canada.

Kim will be one of four South Koreans for the International Team in the biennial match-play competition, which pits a squad of non-European international golfers against the U.S.-born players.

In his Presidents Cup debut two years ago at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina, Kim emerged as a force for the Internationals, an excitable youngster who could drain clutch putts.

For the International Team to pull out just their second win in 15 Presidents Cups this week at Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Kim will once again have to bring his energy and game.

And if Kim can go up against Scheffler in Sunday's singles, then so much the better for the South Korean.

"We're comfortable with each other, I play a lot of golf with him back home," Kim said in an interview with PGA Tour.com Wednesday. "For one week, I absolutely dislike him."

Kim lost to Scheffler in a playoff at the Travelers Championship in June this year, missing out on a chance to win his fourth career PGA Tour title.

"I had a chance to take him down one-on-one this year but I lost. I like to be able to have a revenge match," Kim said. "He's always going to play really, really well but at the same time, if I can do something special on Sunday against a player of caliber like him, it'll be huge for our team."

Kim is once again the youngest member of the International Team. On the Korean contingent, he is joined by veterans Kim Si-woo, Im Sung-jae and An Byeong-hun.

Kim Si-woo and Im are each making their third appearance, while An will be playing for the second time.

"When I first played in 2017, I was the only Korean player. And we've had four Korean players since the last competition. It's special," Kim said. "We crack jokes and we're just having a great time. Since we'll be the home team this year, we're trying to come up with a celebration that can fire up the crowd."

Im said the Korean players practiced together earlier this week and made friendly bets on greens.

"This week, it's important to create a fun atmosphere, especially with team chemistry at a premium," Im added.

An said he was "proud" of having so many Koreans at the Presidents Cup, noting that their presence indicates an improving level of play among players from the country.

An, 33, said he has also improved since making his Presidents Cup debut in 2019.

"I think I'm a better player right now. I'm hitting it better, putting it better. Every aspect of the game I feel like is better," An said. "That's what I believe. I think the stats show that, too."

jeeho@yna.co.kr
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