Golf's war of words shows no sign of slowing down after LIV star Ian Poulter took a swipe at PGA Tour and US rival Justin Thomas on social media after an incident at the Presidents Cup over the weekend.
Despite being two-up in his singles match, Thomas took offence after being asked by International Team player Si Woo Kim to play a putt of three-foot instead of conceding the ninth hole. The American walked away after sinking the putt shaking his head in disbelief and muttering under his breath.
After a video of the incident was posted on Twitter, Poulter replied: "If it's that short just tap it in... He's made us tap in a few", followed by a shrug emoji.
The incident seemed to have an impact on Thomas as Kim came back into the match and then on the 15th hole put his finger to his lips to shush his rival as he levelled the match with three to play.
With the pair tied on the 18th hole, Kim sunk a 10-foot birdie putt to win for the International Team.
"Honestly, at the time, I was pretty p****d off," Thomas told the Golf Channel regarding Kim shushing the home crowd.
"'I think when you're in the moment, when you're on the other side of it, it's something that gets you motivated, gets you pumped up a little bit."
Later the two-time PGA Championship winner reflected on the performance of Kim. He tweeted: "He beat my ass down the stretch though (back nine holes)! Was a great match. He made some great putts. Dude had some stones.”
Despite his frustration earlier in the day, Thomas was part of the celebrating USA team which won 17.5-12.5 at the Quail Hollow Club.
It was the ninth consecutive Presidents Cup victory for the Americans who now have a substantial 12-1 lead in the competition's history.
Looking back at his defeat to Kim, Thomas added: “I can say whatever I want about it, but he beat me. So he has the upper hand on me. But we won the cup, so that’s all that matters.”
