Anger Erupts Over Own Mistake... 'Strong Competitiveness' Kim Juhyung Breaks Locker Room Door

Genesis Championship Final Day Immediate Overtime Loss
Disappointment in Own Play Leads to Locker Room Door Damage
Usually Honest Emotional Expression with Strong Competitive Spirit

‘Competitor’ Kim Joo-hyung displayed a strong fighting spirit.

Kim Juhyung is teeing off on the 2nd hole on the final day of the Genesis Championship.
[Photo by KPGA]

After losing in a playoff against An Byeong-hun, he broke the locker room door. On the 27th, at the Genesis Championship (total prize money $4 million), a co-sanctioned event by the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour) and the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour held at Jack Nicklaus Korea Golf Club in Songdo, Incheon (par 72, 7,470 yards), Kim finished as the runner-up and then damaged the locker room door.

Kim Joo-hyung was leading An Byeong-hun by one stroke until the 17th hole (par 3) on the final day, but missed a birdie putt on the 18th hole (par 5), where An made a birdie, leading to a playoff. On the first playoff hole at the 18th, Kim’s second shot got caught in the rough on the lip of the bunker in front of the green, and his unstable third shot overshot the green, reaching it in four shots. After missing the par putt, Kim lost the trophy to An Byeong-hun, who sank a birdie putt.

Right after the playoff, Kim congratulated An Byeong-hun, but upon returning to the locker room, unable to contain his anger over his mistake, he broke the locker room door. Even on the PGA Tour, it is common for players to express excessive anger when they lose control, often breaking their clubs or kicking their caddie bags, damaging property.

Kim Joo-hyung is a player who has won three times in total, including being the youngest to win twice on the PGA Tour (at 20 years and 3 months). He is a ‘young gun’ with a strong competitive spirit. With fluent English skills and energetic play, he is recognized as a ‘hot player’ in the global golf scene. He is quite honest in expressing his emotions and possesses a competitor’s temperament. In September 2022, he showcased outstanding skills at the Presidents Cup, an international men’s golf competition excluding the USA and Europe. His roar after making back-to-back eagles in two matches was impressive.

Last month, at the 2024 Presidents Cup, he also played the role of a mood maker. Kim, paired with Im Sung-jae, celebrated a birdie by running across the green and cheering loudly. This sparked a controversy over manners, and rumors circulated that an American player had cursed. Kim candidly expressed his strengths, saying, "Running on the green and clenching my fist is part of the game," but added, "I don’t think there’s any need to curse."