Tom Kim challenges TGL crowd on hole-tying putt after Scottie Scheffler chants

Tom Kim snapped back at the TGL crowd on Monday during the match between Jupiter Links Golf Club and Boston Common Golf.

During Kim’s attempt at a hole-tying putt, the crowd on-hand began chanting “Scottie” to the 22-year-old to break his focus. He did not bend under the pressure, and nailed the putt. Kim let the crowd hear it the moment the ball went through the hole.

Dialed.

📺: @espn pic.twitter.com/hFdgxvUtNr

— TGL (@TGL) January 28, 2025

The chants are referring to Scottie Scheffler, who Kim most recently had a chirping battle against in Septbember during the Presidents Cup last year. On the eighth hole, Kim took the lead over Scheffler on a putt, similar to the one he made on Monday in the TGL. Kim reacted by letting out a roar, and Scheffler went on to make a birdie on the same hole to tie. Scheffler then appeared to yell “What was that?” to Kim while celebrating.

“If you think about it now, it means a lot,” Kim told ESPN’s Matt Barrie of his early putt. “But for me, at the moment, you’re so focused on the putt and trying to make it that it doesn’t really pop into my mind. I’m grateful that my brain didn’t really get in my way.”

The two parties aren’t actually bitter rivals, as the chants may indicate. They’re actually very good friends, albeit competitive, behind the scenes. Scheffler and Kim both live in Dallas and share the same birthday. Earlier that year, the two battled at the Travelers Championship, a tournament won by Scheffler.

Scheffler was not a part of Monday’s TGL despite being a part of a viral moment from the matchup. Kim noted how excited he was to be a part of the festivities alongside teammates Tiger Woods and Kevin Kisner.

“It’s been fun, man,” Kim said. “I’ve actually kind of prepared for this. Obviously, we didn’t really have a good night in the first one, but I made sure I came ready to play. Really cool to be able to be with my teammates and definitely putting a show for the people, which is the most important thing.”

Scottie Scheffler talks about competing against Tom Kim

“It’s fun competing against your friends,” Scheffler said after winning the Travelers Championship in June, per ESPN. “But at the same time, it’s difficult. Because part of me wants him to miss the putt and part of me wants him to make the putt. … But he should remember that putt he made on 18, because it was pretty special. And he’s a great player and a great champion.”

Scheffler is the top golfer in the world and has had a memorable 2024 season. The 28-year-old won the Masters in April and the Tour Championship earlier this month. Scheffler has claimed the PGA Tour Fed Ex Cup and won an ESPY for the Best Golfer Award.

Kim, 22, has won three PGA Tour tournaments in his career. His best finish in a major championship was when he finished tied for second at The Open Championship last year.

On3’s Brian Jones contributed to this report.