Scottish Open: Tom Kim’s strang, attention-grabbing late entry motive

Tom Kim is likely one of the Genesis Scottish Open sponsor exemptions this week, which feels odd.

Tuesday night, rumors and rumblings surfaced on social media that Kim was pressured to simply accept a sponsor exemption regardless of being totally exempted into the event.

Kim is the No. 17 participant on the planet. He completed No. 20 within the FedEx Cup standings final 12 months and presently sits at No. 41 on this season’s rankings. He has performed in 20 occasions in 2024, together with 9 weeks in a row. The 22-year-old has a runner-up end, two prime 10s, and 6 prime 25s in his 16 made cuts.

So why was he pressured to simply accept this spot?

Ahead of the Scottish Open, Kim defined the state of affairs.

“There was a mix-up on my staff’s finish,” Kim mentioned Wednesday. “With deadlines and stuff with two excursions, it typically will get complicated. I solely came upon about it earlier the day earlier than after I acquired a name from the staff saying, ‘Hey, we tousled on our finish. We usually are not making an attempt to do something bizarre, however we missed up.’”

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

What a hiccup for his staff as a result of that is an occasion Kim likes to play. The 3-time PGA Tour winner thrives at this occasion with a sixth place in 2023 and a third-place end in 2022.

“This is likely one of the occasions that I circle at the beginning of the 12 months, and I do know I’m going to play. So positively, I’d not attempt to try this on function,” he defined.

Kim completely owned his staff’s mishap and reiterated this was not accomplished deliberately. He hammered down on his love for the event and blamed his staff for the error.

“I really like popping out right here. I’d by no means do something remotely bizarre to flirt with the tournaments,” Kim mentioned. “It was a whole mistake on the individuals who assist me.”

Kim completed runner-up to Scottie Scheffler on the Travelers Championship in a playoff. He seems to construct off that second this week in Scotland as he tees off for Round 1 with Matthieu Pavon and Max Homa at 3:17 a.m. ET.

Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For extra golf protection, comply with us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You may comply with her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.