As if Scottie Scheffler’s year wasn’t brisk enough, the humble world No. 1 got into an on-track argument with his great friend Tom Kim as the one-sided Presidents Cup completely changed the Ryder Cup for a while.

In a competition that is such a pale copy of the ultimate and much older and highly competitive team brawl, Scheffler probably didn’t expect tensions to boil over on the first day of play between Team USA and The Internationals (the rest of the world excluding Europe). ), especially since he was playing against his close ally.

However, the 22-year-old Kim was clearly keen to get under Scheffler’s skin as the Royal Montreal hosts tried to win for only the second time in the 30-year existence of the PGA’s unashamed cash cow.

It didn’t work. Scheffler and Russell Henley edged Kim and fellow Korean Sungjae Im 3-2 as the USA whitewashed the first four-ball session 5-0. The outcome was woefully predictable in this biennial imbalance, but in golf at least Scheffler, aka Mr. Nice, raised the hairs on the back of his neck.

Granted, Scheffler was sent to jail during the USPGA in May, but that was only after an enthusiastic police officer arrested him for a traffic violation for which he was later exonerated.

The Texan is considered the most composed character on Tour, and Kim quickly rattled the cage, charging behind Scheffler on seventh after he holed a long putt for birdie and yelled “Come on!”

As he did so, Scheffler then converted his own sizable halftime shot and spun on his heels before shouting at Kim: “What was that?!”

Since everyone was aware of their relationship – at the August Olympics, gold medalist Scheffler moved Kim to tears with his kind words on the 18th – she seemed more jocular and good-natured. But on the next hole, Kim crossed the finish line.

Kim made a brave birdie on the par 4, but as Scheffler readied his putt for the halfway point, Kim and his partner ran 50 yards to the ninth tee without looking back. Scheffler missed and in the Sky Sports dressing room, former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley was unimpressed. “That’s disrespectful in my opinion,” McGinley said. “Bad behavior. And don’t poke the bear.”

The respective vice-captains watching the game, Kevin Kisner and Camilo Villegas, “said words after the incident,” according to another analyst. “It didn’t look very friendly,” John Wood said.

All of that would be music to the ears of PGA Tour folks who long for the Presidents Cup to emulate the Ryder Cup. A ridiculous ambition.

Needle is as important as abuse, but Canadian Mackenzie Hughes missed his mark when he downed a can of beer on the first tee trying to secure the crown. Only one thing was failed: the Internationals – again.

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