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

The best way to explain the lore of Anthony Kim is to remind you that two of the most substantial publications of our time — Sports Illustrated and the New York Times — have both published sizable “Where has Anthony Kim gone?” investigations during the last decade. He is an enigma, coined by golf scribe Alan Shipnuck as “golf’s yeti.” He is simultaneously as famous for what he represented at a moment in time for the sport as he is for the mystery surrounding his disappearance.

Now, per Golf.com, Kim, 38, is plotting a return to professional golf 12 years after injuries led to him stepping away from the sport in 2012. The report states Kim is in talks with the PGA Tour, LIV and sponsors about the return as the three-time PGA Tour event winner weighs how and where to play golf in the future.

At the core of this potential return is the insurance policy Kim took out in case of injuries, reportedly worth between $10 and $20 million. That policy would be voided if he returned to play, potentially meaning any return must make up for that money.

Let’s look back at who Anthony Kim is, why was he such a big deal and how much is he worth to the two tours.

Who is Anthony Kim?

Before Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, Kim was golf’s great young prodigy, expected to take some portion of Tiger Woods’ place in golf’s limelight. The Los Angeles native played college golf at Oklahoma and played on a winning Walker Cup team before turning pro at 22. Kim won two PGA Tour events at Quail Hollow and TPC Potomac by his second full pro season and became the first golfer under 25 to win two tour events in the same season since Woods in 2000. By the end of that 2008 season, Kim was 23, No. 6 in the world and the top rising star in the sport.

With an extremely aggressive style of play and an outgoing personality, Kim immediately became a star in demographics golf didn’t always reach. He made the 2008 Ryder Cup team at 23 years old — very young for a spot on that team at that time — and he famously dominated Sergio Garcia with a 5&4 drubbing as the U.S. won for the first time in nine years. That next spring, Kim went to the 2009 Masters and broke the tournament record with 11 birdies in the second round. That may have turned out to be his peak.

Anthony Kim, right, and Rory McIlroy were each supposed to take over for Tiger Woods at the top of the PGA Tour. (Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)

Much of his rise came while playing through a thumb injury, which Kim later said he compensated for and created tendonitis in his wrist. He won one tournament from 2009 to 2011 as injuries piled up, and in 2012 he withdrew from three tournaments. He then ruptured his left achilles tendon in 2012, and he hasn’t played professional golf since.

What has added to the myth of Anthony Kim is his reclusive nature over the last 12 years, shying away from golf’s spotlight and leading a private life. Sightings of him are extremely rare. Players once close to him say they no longer have phone numbers for him. He never quite explained himself or where he went. He is a mystery.

Why was he such a big deal?

The way Woods dominated golf for so long created a golf media culture of constantly seeking the next Woods. Not even to find somebody who could come near Woods’ actual accomplishments, but somebody to take up some portion of the star power oxygen Woods held. It’s important to remember McIlroy was still a 19-year-old playing on the European Tour when Kim played in the Ryder Cup.

But Kim, a Korean American, was more than that. If Woods was so crucial for breaking down golf’s barriers involving race, Kim was the closest thing the sport had to an Allen Iverson in terms of breaking down its dry culture. He was brash, wore loud belt buckles and didn’t mind ruffling feathers. He didn’t shy away from the fact he liked to party. He went on Jay Leno and gave Jessica Alba a putting lesson, and played in the NBA Celebrity All-Star game.

Players from his generation still talk about him as if he was a combination of Woods’ talent with Phil Mickelson’s sense of charm and boldness on a golf course. Combine all of that with how good he actually was, and for about two years he was as exciting of a player as golf has seen. Then, he was gone.

Anthony Kim’s swag — including his choice in belt buckles — contributed to his popularity. (Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)

The mystery of Kim

So much of the excitement about Kim’s return stems from the mystery. With each passing year that he’s been away from the tour, the fascination grows. In the era of TMZ, social media and constant exposure, somebody that talented practically disappearing is difficult for many to wrap their heads around.

The constant injuries certainly were a large part of his original absence, and that was the official word from his camp for most of the first few years after he left, but it became clear that Kim was receiving payments through the aforementioned insurance policy worth north of $10 million. As time went on, some close to Kim have told reporters Kim is healthy and still capable of playing great golf. In 2016, Kim said he hadn’t returned because he was still rehabbing, and in 2019 he called his golf game non-existent. The discrepancy between the two versions of Kim’s health only amplified the intrigue, and it continued speculation that the insurance policy was the focal point of it all. If he returned to professional golf, it would be voided.

As so many stories have detailed, Kim’s appearances have become like a Bigfoot-esque figure. He’d be seen at one bar or out at a store, but nobody had truly tracked him down in a substantial way.

The other wrinkle in his absence has been his relationship with golf. The New York Times story goes into detail on his declining passion for the game and his complicated relationship with his demanding father. Perhaps Kim simply didn’t want to come back. Or perhaps there were issues more complicated keeping him away.

But in 2021, Kim’s longtime coach Adam Schriber posted a photo of him and Kim together saying, “2021 is going to be special.” That reignited hope for a return, and Thursday’s report brought it back full throttle.

What is Kim’s actual value?

The report from Golf.com sent the golf media world into a frenzy. People started sharing favorite Kim memories and talking about what this would mean. But it brings up an interesting disconnect: How much value does a 38-year-old golfer with three PGA Tour wins actually have?

Reducing Kim to that statline misses a chunk of the story, but the reported negotiations between Kim, LIV and the PGA Tour indicate a possible battle for his services. The PGA Tour can’t offer him a lump sum, but there are surely ways it can maximize his revenue and give him opportunities to collect. Meanwhile, the story reported LIV has discussed a “one-year offer that would cover Kim’s insurance policy — again, in the area of $10 million — while allowing him to earn prize money and sponsor deals on top of that.”

But if money is the primary concern for Kim to return, he could theoretically earn the value of that insurance policy back if he could even become a decent PGA Tour player. The finances of a PGA Tour player are far different than when Kim played. Seven players made north of $10 million in 2023, while 36 players made $5 million. If he could even be the 62nd-best player on tour, he could make $3 million in winnings per year, plus sponsorships, and be back in profit within a few seasons. There’s also the PIP program which financially rewards players for their popularity — Kim would certainly qualify. And that doesn’t even mention LIV winnings, in which every single golfer who played at least 10 events made more than $3 million last year and 10 made more than $15 million.

There is confidence his game is still good, but it may be fair to say nobody is fighting to sign Kim in the hopes he wins majors and jumps to elite status. To some extent, any pursuit of Kim, who will be 39 later this year, is rooted in his name appeal and the intrigue that has followed him for so long. In a perfect world, he does become a great golfer again and provides golf’s story of the year. But there are also scenarios in which parties are fighting for a short-term novelty story.

Kim’s rise to stardom came through the PGA Tour, so it will certainly be understandable if he chooses that path. While LIV could potentially offer a safer return with less spotlight and expectation.

No matter what happens going forward, Kim’s journey will be a fascinating development. It always has been.

(Top photo: Matt Sullivan / Getty Images)