imagine a budding superstar who not only stops playing his chosen sport, but practically disappears
galaxy27
Posts: 8,048 ✭✭✭✭✭
this happened in golf. i know, i know, golf. but even if you couldn't care less about the sport, i think some of you will find this story quite interesting. i'll give you the (relatively) abridged version prior to the article below.
in 2006, a guy by the name of Anthony Kim hit the tour. he had an accomplished amateur career. he almost won his first start as a pro, coming in 2nd at the Valero Open. in 2008, he won multiple times -- the first American under the age of 25 to do so since Tiger Woods pulled it off back in 2000. later that year he made Sergio Garcia his little bitch at the Ryder Cup, trouncing him 5 & 4 in the first match of the Sunday single matches, which the USA went on to win. at the 2009 Masters, he set the record for the most birdies in a single round with eleven(!). the dude flashed serious game and his future was so bright that it required solar eclipse glasses. and on top of that, he was a heavy partier and possessed a bit of an idgaf attitude. a very, very popular player.
now fast forward a few years
a slew of injuries which led to an overabundance of poor play. in April of 2012 I was at the Shell Houston Open and i personally witnessed AK rinsing two drives on the final hole of his first round. i remember him having the look of a guy who would rather be anywhere else. he shot 79 that day and promptly withdrew. a month later, he played his final professional round at the Wells Fargo Championship. he again played poorly, and he again withdrew.
then, he stopped playing golf and all but disappeared. and when i say all but disappeared, i'm not embellishing. in the past 12 years there have been more sightings of the Loch Ness Monster giving Bigfoot a piggyback ride than reports of Anthony Kim's whereabouts.
i'm sure many of you are ready to unload a couple of questions:
Q: why didn't he rehab and come back?
A: because he had an insurance policy that guaranteed him 10 mil if he never picked up a club again
Q: why are you are posting this now?
A: because he is rumored to be joining LIV very soon
imagine a stud in your favorite sport flashing unparalleled talent, then vanishing. and then, 12 YEARS LATER, possibly returning. color me fascinated.
you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet
Comments
The Roy Hobbs of golf. 😊
Q: why didn't he rehab and come back?
A: because he had an insurance policy that guaranteed him 10 mil if he never picked up a club again
He could not play professionally to keep his insurance stash.
Interesting story
Jay Berwanger?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Kim
Wikipedia - Anthony Kim
2011–present
In June 2012, Kim had surgery after injuring the Achilles tendon in his left leg and was expected to miss 9 to 12 months.[9] Kim was eligible for the 2013 season on a Major Medical Exemption, but has failed to play a single tournament since.[3][10]
In April 2014, Golf Channel reported that Kim no longer plays golf, even on a recreational level.[11] In 2016, Kim played in a number of charity events, but said he was not ready to play professionally again. He also cited ongoing physical therapy and numerous surgeries as the reasons for delaying his return.[12]
In April 2019, during an encounter with a fan in West Hollywood, California, Kim referred to his golf game as "non-existent".[13] On January 1, 2021, Adam Schriber, Kim's longtime coach, posted a photo of the two in front of the Dallas skyline with the caption "2021 is going to be special".[14]
In January 2024, Golf.com reported that Kim was in discussions to return to professional golf for either the PGA Tour or LIV Golf.[15]
i have noticed a womens golfer by the name of grace charis recently who is quite impressive
Indeed she is.