‘Rickie Fowler Vibes’: Us Fans in Frenzy as Rival’s ‘Only Single Guy’ Moment Goes Viral a Day Ahead of Real Showdown
It seems Rickie Fowler kickstarted a viral trend for single players. Last year, Viktor Hovland jumped onto the bandwagon, and now Tom Kim is too happy to follow suit. At Montreal, for the Presidents Cup photoshoot, the South Korean team members posed with their wives or partners. But Tom Kim is still single.
The three-time winner posed with Si Woo Kim, Sungjae Im, and Byeong Hun An. The WAGs stood in front of the players. The 22-year-old standing in the middle said, “I will have it on. I’m the only single guy here.” This has become an increasingly popular trend. Marc Leishman recreated it just days ago after Ripper GC’s LIV Golf Team Championship triumph.
Last year, Viktor Hovland brought vice-captain, Jose Maria Olazabal, to the Ryder Cup gala as his partner. And then posed with him again as the victorious European team kissed their wives.
But it was first started by Rickie Fowler in the 2016 edition of the patriotic showdown. Fowler, the only single guy in the team back then, shrugged to the camera as all his teammates lip-locked their partners or wives. Turns out it was too funny to do it only once. Tom Kim’s subtle recreation of that viral moment caught fans’ eyes as well.
Tom Kim is the ‘International’ Rickie Fowler
Tom Kim’s subtle homage to Rickie Fowler took everyone back to the 2016 Ryder Cup. Kim surely gave ‘Rickie Fowler vibes’ as many pointed out. However, Fowler is now a married person, tying the knot with longtime sweetheart, Allison Stokke. Kim, 22, is “the international version of Rickie Fowler,” as long as he doesn’t get married, according to one user. Another user commented along similar lines, “The Asian Ricky Fowler.”
If the International emerges victorious on Sunday, will Kim replicate the Viktor Hovland moment too? Last year, Hovland posed with the Ryder Cup, surrounded by every other player’s wives. There are surely some who want a similar Presidents Cup photo for Tom Kim. “[Tom Kim] needs a Viktor Hovland Ryder Cup photo with the other wives…,” wrote another user.
The South Korean youngster has netted three PGA Tour titles already and was at the doorstep of the fourth one this year. Referring to his achievements, one fan joked, “Married to the game.” He might as well be. Kim has yet to be linked with anyone. He has not discussed his dating life or future plans yet.
Singles guys tend to perform well in the patriotic showdown. Rickie Fowler went 2-1-0 at Hazeltine in 2016. Viktor Hovland was the star of the European show last year, netting 3 points from a possible four. Can Tom Kim replicate that feat as well? Only time will tell.
