Anthony Kim Plotting Return?

[iacas]

Anthony Kim plotting return to pro golf after decade disappearance

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Anthony Kim has been in discussions with both the PGA Tour and LIV as he plots a return to pro golf more than a decade after he disappeared.

Kim has spent the last few months in discussions with the PGA Tour, LIV and potential sponsors as he plots a way back, multiple sources familiar with those discussions told GOLF. He’s been playing more golf. He’s been ramping up workouts. He’s confident in his game. That part, people say, definitely hasn’t changed. Now, it’s just a matter of where he makes his return.

[billchao]

Didn’t he quit because of an insurance policy he was collecting on? Guess that’s over now?

[TN94z]

6 minutes ago, billchao said:

Didn’t he quit because of an insurance policy he was collecting on? Guess that’s over now?

I was thinking the same. Like 10-20 million if he were to get injured and could not play...something like that maybe?

[iacas]

7 minutes ago, billchao said:

Didn’t he quit because of an insurance policy he was collecting on? Guess that’s over now?

Maybe it's been long enough, or he's gotten 90% of the payout, or something?

[billchao]

1 minute ago, iacas said:

Maybe it's been long enough, or he's gotten 90% of the payout, or something?

I kind of skimmed through the article. It talks about it but it’s not clear if he collect the whole sum. He’s probably going to make more from playing at this point, though an argument could be made that he could have done that had he not stopped.

[snapfade]

Greg will pay off his policy, offer a 1 year contract, he will possibly join Jon Rhams team if Tyrell Hatton goes to another team. My prediction of course. 

[JetFan1983]

 

I'm excited to see him play again. Go, AK!

[snapfade]

7 minutes ago, JetFan1983 said:

 

I'm excited to see him play again. Go, AK!

You'll be watching him on the CW. 

[billchao]

10 hours ago, JetFan1983 said:

I'm excited to see him play again. Go, AK!

Why? I’m not trying to be snarky, I’m legitimately confused by the hype AK is getting. I don’t understand his popularity and why people still care about him as a golfer after all these years.

[JetFan1983]

14 hours ago, snapfade said:

You'll be watching him on the CW. 

If LIV starts to outperform One Tree Hill reruns in the ratings, I'll consider it 😄

4 hours ago, billchao said:

Why? I’m not trying to be snarky, I’m legitimately confused by the hype AK is getting. I don’t understand his popularity and why people still care about him as a golfer after all these years.

Not snarky at all! In thinking about your question, it brought up a lot of fond memories of my early days in golf. I began playing on May 1st, 2008 and AK won his first PGA Tour event on May 4th, 2008. That was very formative at the time. 

In general though, this article from the Athletic does a good job of summing up the reasons why a lot of us are into this (I had to give them my Gmail to read the article unfortunately, but it was otherwise "free"). 

Why Anthony Kim's potential return to golf is such a big deal

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Kim is plotting a return to the PGA Tour or signing with LIV, Golf.com reported Thursday.

 

Not to get too dramatic, but his disappearance was almost like a Keith Morrison-narrated Dateline episode for me. Or he's golf's MH370. Whatever the case, the mystery coupled with what I thought was an enormous amount of talent was fascinating. I'm sure the reality of why he stopped playing is less interesting than the mystery, but I'm interested to hear what he has to say if he wants to share. I'm interested in what he can still do out there. I like a good comeback story. 

And if this is all just to pay the bills, then okay. That's fine too. I'm just fascinated to see how his return plays out. I've lost a lot of interest in professional golf these last few years, and I'm pretty desperate for a reason to tune in, however fleeting it is.

[grubby98]

perfect for LIV

[pganapathy]

In his prime, AK was an exciting player to watch.  Talented, loud dress sense, brash/confident/arrogant.  Whether he is still that will be seen.  I wish him luck if he can play well enough to make it.  He would automatically make it back into the PGA tour on medical exemptions I think, so both the PGA and LIV are options for him.  Will be interesting to see him play

[JetFan1983]

No surprise here I guess, but yikes nonetheless. I would've much preferred if the guy played some KFT or low level PGAT events along his comeback trail first, but clearly that's not the only avenue back to the pro ranks anymore. 

Kind of a sad money grab from Kim here, though I do get it, I guess. It might be funny to see who he beats out there on LIV.

[mdl]

3 hours ago, JetFan1983 said:

No surprise here I guess, but yikes nonetheless. I would've much preferred if the guy played some KFT or low level PGAT events along his comeback trail first, but clearly that's not the only avenue back to the pro ranks anymore. 

Kind of a sad money grab from Kim here, though I do get it, I guess. It might be funny to see who he beats out there on LIV.

Bummer. I would've liked to see him play.

Edited February 2, 2024 by mdl

[Zeph]

That may quickly move him from popular ex-pro to unpopular pro.

If true, it’s an eays way to make some millions. At 38 years old and a decade off the pro scene, he may not have the largest ambitions.

[Ty_Webb]

I've heard so many conflicting rumors on this. Like apparently that video of him practising is a few years old at this point. I've heard people say he's not coming back and others like Dan Rapaport as quoted above saying he's playing LIV soon. Not really going to expect much until he's actually out there playing. And then if it's LIV it will be a curiosity to me about whether he is, but I don't care enough to go watch.

[snapfade]

Seems like he would part of the 54 man field not assigned to a team. At 38 I don't think he will be a force to be reckoned with so I think he goes for the guaranteed money, my prediction still stands that he goes to LIV. Maybe he can play LIV right handed and the PGAT left handed and kind of be a modern day Mac O'Grady. ha

[JetFan1983]

16 hours ago, mdl said:

Bummer. I would've liked to see him play.

If the rumors are true that he is actually coming back, but it's to LIV, I will relegate myself to whatever highlights/lowlights/interviews are posted to Twitter. 

It'll be funny maybe to see that gaudy belt buckle again, hopefully with some fresh white leather holding his pants up, and then shooting 80, which hopefully beats Ian Poulter by one.