Kim Hanbyeol Referred to Disciplinary Committee for Abusive Language "Didn't You Receive Education?" to Forecaddie

Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-joo Invitational Final Round: Verbal Abuse Toward Forecaddie
Also Broke Golf Club During 3rd Round

Kim Hanbyeol

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seo-hee] Kim Han-byeol (26) is reported to have hurled abusive language and verbal abuse at a fore caddie during the KPGA Korean Tour Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational tournament.

It was confirmed that Kim Han-byeol approached the fore caddie and verbally abused him during the final round of the Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational held on the 2nd at the Ferrum Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. After his tee shot on the 4th hole disappeared to the right side of the fairway, he played a provisional ball and reportedly shouted at the fore caddie, saying, "Didn't you receive any training?" and "Are you doing your job for money like that, you son of a b****?"

The fore caddie reportedly protested, saying, "I cannot understand how a player who is said to be the best in Korea loses his temper and repeatedly uses abusive and violent language. It really hurts my pride." The fore caddie’s role is to stay near the landing area to inform players of where their balls have landed to ensure smooth progress of the game.

The incident of breaking a golf club also came under scrutiny. Before the final round, during the remaining part of the 3rd round, Kim Han-byeol broke his own golf club after hitting a shot from the rough and the ball failed to come out. This was captured on video by a nearby gallery and has been submitted as evidence to the association.

The Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) plans to hold a disciplinary committee meeting soon to decide the level of punishment for Kim Han-byeol.

There have been previous cases of inappropriate behavior by professional golfers. In 2020, Lee Soo-min (29) was severely punished with a fine of 6 million won, 60 hours of community service, and a one-match suspension after breaking his putter with his foot while leaving the 18th hole following the Genesis Championship. In 2019, Kim Bi-o (32) made an obscene gesture toward the gallery after being startled by a cellphone camera shutter sound and making a poor shot on the 16th hole of the final round of the DGB Volvik Daegu Gyeongbuk Open. The disciplinary committee imposed a three-year suspension and a fine of 10 million won on him.