Return of AK (Anthony Kim)

[jolter1]

This would be a real shot in the arm for the PGATour if he returns as it would draw viewership to the non-signature events. 

[GolfSpy_BNG]

Is there actual information about him returning to the pga or just rumors like the ones about him being in negotiations with LIV?

[GolfSpy_KFT]

From what I can tell to this point it’s just rumblings. Would love to see AK make a return though. 

[GolfSpy_BNG]

If he does return it will have to be for a butt ton of money cuz I’m guessing he’d have to repay some of if not all that insurance money he had in himself

[barney_bogey]

If he does return it will have to be for a butt ton of money cuz I’m guessing he’d have to repay some of if not all that insurance money he had in himself

LIV would laugh at that repayment if it were the case.

That said, what a peculiar position he found himself in. Better than being a backup quarterback as far as cash to performance requirements.

[mikeanthony]

It would absolutely be a massive shot in the arm for the Tour if Kim does indeed come back.

I know there’s been a few golfers over the years, but no other player I can remember generated so much “what ifs” than Kim did amongst casual and die-hard golf fans. He torched Europe at the Ryder Cup … man I loved that dude’s game and swagger. 

My guess is LIV offers him $10-20M to come over on an 2 year deal and he uses that to repay his insurance payout??? Which would definitely suck for the rest of us.

[Kenny B]

I would love to see AK back in the game, but that's a long haul after 12 years.  I think the overall talent pool on tour is much better now than it was when he came out on tour.  He's 38 and hasn't been in competition.  I wish him well though.

[StrokerAce]

I'm not sure I understand the fascination with Anthony Kim. Every year or so his name comes up for a little while and people talk about him coming back and then it kind of dies down. Why are people so interested in him? Am I missing something?

[FrogginBullfish]

7 minutes ago, StrokerAce said:

I'm not sure I understand the fascination with Anthony Kim. Every year or so his name comes up for a little while and people talk about him coming back and then it kind of dies down. Why are people so interested in him? Am I missing something?

Not sure if you watched pro golf when he was playing on tour but he was just a great character and a great golfer. Super fun to watch and could go birdie crazy at any moment. Think he had 11 birdies in one round at the Masters once.

[downlowkey]

3 hours ago, StrokerAce said:

I'm not sure I understand the fascination with Anthony Kim. Every year or so his name comes up for a little while and people talk about him coming back and then it kind of dies down. Why are people so interested in him? Am I missing something?

Even at the top level of the game, certain individuals distinguish themselves from the rest of the pack in the ball striking department. I’ve always referred to that special quality as a “heavy ball” and it’s a very short list of people that could thump a wedge like AK. His action in the three feet prior to and after impact were reminiscent of Ben Hogan.

I think one of the other things about AK that resonated with people was that he allegedly partied like John Daly and didn’t practice much. A lot of golf fans appreciate the grueling grind to become one of the best in the world, but the notion that a player appears to come by their talent naturally seems to hold a unique allure. Players like Daly, Freddie, Bruce Lietzke, all the way back to Snead, cut a figure that suggested they could burn down a tournament course but didn’t touch a club outside the ropes. The fascination is not limited to golf either - athletes like Allen Iverson and Nick Kyrgios are similar examples. That’s my take anyway.

[bens197]

22 hours ago, StrokerAce said:

I'm not sure I understand the fascination with Anthony Kim. Every year or so his name comes up for a little while and people talk about him coming back and then it kind of dies down. Why are people so interested in him? Am I missing something?

I don’t understand the hype.  

Talented golfer who played well when the iPhone 4 was all the rage.  He moved on from the Tour and I’ve moved on from him.

 

[cnosil]

22 hours ago, StrokerAce said:

I'm not sure I understand the fascination with Anthony Kim. Every year or so his name comes up for a little while and people talk about him coming back and then it kind of dies down. Why are people so interested in him? Am I missing something?

 

25 minutes ago, bens197 said:

I don’t understand the hype.  

 

I thought this was a pretty good article to explain the hype: https://theathletic.com/5230486/2024/01/26/anthony-kim-return-pga-tour-liv-golf/

I know there have been threads on why you watch golf and some watch for the players.  But I agree with both of your statements above about AK.  That is because  I watch golf for the entertainment value and could care less about the individual players.    I guess because he is the party guy and does things differently that the normal professional golfer is why he is so popular.  

[Headhammer]

23 hours ago, bens197 said:

I don’t understand the hype.  

Talented golfer who played well when the iPhone 4 was all the rage.  He moved on from the Tour and I’ve moved on from him.

 

AK, was/is a "Bruh's" Bruh and much of the grow the game influx has been other golf bruhs. One only needs to look at the popularity of Barstool, Pat McAffee and the endless golf videos of on-course fighting and drunks purposefully crashing golf carts to see that. GOML  

[MGoBlue100]

On 1/27/2024 at 9:51 AM, bens197 said:

I don’t understand the hype.  

Talented golfer who played well when the iPhone 4 was all the rage.  He moved on from the Tour and I’ve moved on from him.

 

Good point. Probably plays his music too loud during casual rounds as well. 

[StrokerAce]

Another good article to add some perspective 

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/anthony-kim-return-2024

[bens197]

On 1/28/2024 at 9:54 AM, Headhammer said:

AK, was/is a "Bruh's" Bruh and much of the grow the game influx has been other golf bruhs. One only needs to look at the popularity of Barstool, Pat McAffee and the endless golf videos of on-course fighting and drunks purposefully crashing golf carts to see that. GOML  

He definitely fits that model…and outside of his control, he was what YouTube golf is today…this is from Siasconset in Nantucket and I am here for it…

[downlowkey]

For anyone interested in the firsthand opinions of the best players in the world on the subject of Anthony Kim as a player and a person, this mashup video is worth your time. “The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know” - Albert Einstein

 

 

[fixyurdivot]

Does he still have it do you think?  No, not the belt buckle, a tour level game?  I have a hard time believing Norman is going to offer him a contract unless he does.  Yea, yea, I know, "but look at some of those he's made offers too"... I hear you.  But at least the vast majority of them came directly from the other tours.  To throw him an offer just for the mystique factor seems even a reach for Greg. 

Not that a return to the PGA is even in the works but were that the case he'd have to go back threw Q-School and up through the KF... right?  

[cnosil]

1 hour ago, fixyurdivot said:

Not that a return to the PGA is even in the works but were that the case he'd have to go back threw Q-School and up through the KF... right?  

 

He could be covered under the major  medical extension which would allow him to make a certain amount of money to get his card back. 

[fixyurdivot]

2 minutes ago, cnosil said:

He could be covered under the major  medical extension which would allow him to make a certain amount of money to get his card back. 

Ahh, did not know that.