If you’re wondering what happened to Anthony Kim, you’re not alone. Golf fans around the world are still scratching their heads over his abrupt departure from what seemed like a bright future in the golfing world.
Background
Kim, a California-born Korean American, must have had some idea of his golfing prowess when it won him a golf scholarship to the University of Oklahoma. This was the kick-off point for his career.
It was at university that he met Brodie Flanders, his caddie. This was also where he honed his skills in preparation for his PGA Tour debut in 2007, and eventually his three PGA Tour wins and breakout performance that would steal the world’s breath at the Masters Tournament.
But where is he now?
Life-Changing Injury
His disappearance from professional golf came after an injury to his Achilles tendon in 2012. It was as unexpected as it was tragic.
He hasn’t been seen on the professional circuit since.
Only rare sightings and interviews confirm that he’s still out and about. Even then, he hasn’t had a public appearance related to golf since 2015.
Maybe he's been biding his time. Who knows?
Insurance Cash-Out?
A popular theory circulated the internet and golfing world that he withdrew from professional golf in order to cash out on an insurance policy.
Some whispered that he was exploiting the insurance policy for the massive payout. Kim resolutely dismissed the rumors in a rare interview with the Golf Channel in 2015.
He also bashed the ever-present rumor that he used drugs to charge his Tour performances. Despite an obvious love of partying, and documented outings, he claimed that he had no need or desire for money or drugs.
New Business Venture
In the same article, the Golf Channel reported that Kim had turned to other business prospects. He allegedly stepped back from the spotlight for a turn in the business world alongside his former caddie, Brodie Flanders.
With Flanders and a couple others, he started a Dallas-based venture in the healthcare industry.
The venture was called Quality-Metrics Partners, which specializes in ancillary service management. It was apparently good enough of an investment to keep the young prodigy from reentering the world that up until recently he’d had in the palm of his hand.
It is safe to say that it's very likely Kim has hung up his clubs for good.
Comments