Xander Schauffele has no-nonsense response to 'sportsmanship' jibe after fiery clash
Xander Schauffele has insisted he and his Team USA teammates showed "utmost respect" to the International pair of Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim during the third day of the Presidents Cup
Xander Schauffele has hit back at Tom Kim's accusations that Team USA displayed unsporting behaviour during the Presidents Cup clashes on Saturday.
The American squad bounced back into the lead at Royal Montreal, after a disappointing Friday where they lost all five matches. Captain Jim Furyk's side wrapped up the day with an 11-7 advantage ahead of Sunday's singles showdowns in Canada, following a thrilling day of golf.
The atmosphere was electric, with both teams, especially the International pair Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim, showing intense passion and celebration during key moments. However, Tom expressed his displeasure with Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay at the seventh hole.
The South Korean team had a short putt left to draw the hole, typically considered a gimme in matchplay, but the Americans did not concede the shot, prompting Tom to finish it himself.
Upon sinking the putt, he demonstratively placed his putter on the ground to indicate the putt's length and was overheard during the broadcast questioning: "Is this how we're going to do this?"
Despite the tension, Schauffele and Cantlay clinched the match win as dusk fell, securing a birdie three at the final hole, thus solidifying the US team's dominant position with 12 singles matches remaining.
Kim voiced his feelings about the round's intensity to the media, saying: "I think the start of the round was definitely a little harder, but as it got towards the end, it got a little feisty out there.
"I could hear some players cursing at us. That part wasn't really... 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."
However, Schauffele dismissed these allegations, stating: "I mean, I can speak for myself. I felt like Pat and I, we treated the Kims with the utmost respect. We're trying to quiet the crowds down when they were hitting.
"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."
The International team is in desperate need of a strong start to Sunday's singles matches if they hope to secure their second Presidents Cup victory. Schauffele has been selected by captain Furyk to lead the charge, facing off against Australia's Jason Day in the first match.
Tom Kim will compete in the second match against Sam Burns, while Cantlay is set to play against local favourite Taylor Pendrith in the fifth match. Si Woo Kim is scheduled to take on Keegan Bradley in Match 6.
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