Kang is trying to put accusation behind him
CARNOUSTIE, Scotland — Sung Kang doesn’t plan to handle rulings any differently because he doesn’t think he did anything wrong when fellow PGA Tour player Joel Dahmen accused him of taking a bad drop three weeks ago.
Kang and Dahmen were playing in the final round at the Quicken Loans National when Kang’s second shot to the par-5 10th went into a hazard. Kang took a drop near the green. Dahmen contended the ball crossed the hazard much farther back, and without video evidence, the rules official sided with the player.
It came to light when Dahmen, when asked on Twitter why the group behind them played through, said, “Kang cheated. He took a bad drop from a hazard. I argued until I was blue. I lost.”
Kang earned a spot with room to spare in the British Open that week. He opened with a 69 on Thursday and was asked about the incident after his round.
“Everything is official,” he said. “I follow the rules. I think I did the right thing.”
He says he tried to talk with Dahmen at the John Deere Classic last week, but it was right before their separate tee times, and he didn’t want either of them to be distracted before playing.
“But the way he just said it on Twitter was not right, I think,” Kang said. “But there can be different opinions.”
Frat house: A group of seven Americans (and two fiancees) are sharing a house again, a “tradition” that began at Royal Troon a few years ago. And apparently, they now have World Cup fever. Kevin Kisner is among the group and says they spend part of their evenings playing soccer. Jason Dufner is the goalie. “I just try to smash Duf in the face,” Kisner said.
The others are Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson. Spieth is said to have some ability.
“Until he sends it over the goal four houses over, and we’ve got to go knock on neighbors’ doors for the soccer ball,” Kisner said.
Johnson confirmed that Jordan Pickford, England’s goalie, is not under any threat.
“Duf has some bruises,” Johnson said.
Briefly: Matthew Southgate of England opened with a 69 and felt he did the locals proud. His father is a member at Carnoustie, and he gave Southgate a membership for his 16th birthday . ... Eight players had rounds in the 80s, including former Open champions Darren Clarke and David Duval . ... Ten players failed to make a birdie, including Ernie Els, who still managed a 73 . ... Adam Scott had a local caddie at Shinnecock Hills. This week he is using Fanny Sunesson, who used to caddie for Nick Faldo.