What happened to Anthony Kim? | Golf Stories

[@joepalmer3241]

This really is well narrated. I also miss him on Tour. Thanks for the video and possible explanation. Another example to show how money ruins things that are pure (talking about golf, not AK)

[@redeagle9312]

Few years ago, I ran into him at airport and said hello with few conversation. He was a humble, gentle, and kind guy. People around us gave him a big round of hands. It was a nice moment.

[@Mnil52]

Liar

[@golfdoctorphd]

All I know is I miss watching him play..... he was a favorite of mine back then and I really wish him the best on whatever journey he is on now. Much love AK!

[@JeffBezosIsSanta]

Wow I had actually completely forgotten about him until this showed up in my feed. Forgot how good he was. Interesting video, made me a subscriber!

[@Incognito-wh4dv]

Great video dude. Really appreciate the effort and research you put into this - very watchable video 🙂 I hope Camilo can make a come back too. Very sorry to hear about his daughter 😢

[@KenJee_ds]

Just found your channel today. Huge fan of it and AK!

[@vteddy8852]

Thanks for the video. I was always wondering what happened to him

[@ikaikamaleko8370]

I followed him at Phoenix several years ago, stood right behind him on nmbr 4 and listened to him and his caddie decide on club choice, I miss watching him play, the kid had game for sure.

[@shakeydrake72]

Cool video, thanks! BTW the Korea town image you use at 1:22 is in Toronto, not LA, it’s Bloor Street looking east from Christie to Bathurst, you can see the old Honest Ed’s sign!

[@washredskin887]

AK had that swag and confidence.

[@MrBigspendn]

Love to see you play again AK but be careful the field is deep deep now. These guys ain't no joke.

[@golfinglife610]

Man that's crazy I was talking about him 2 day's ago asking the same thing? What happened ? Thank you for the good info!

[@williamtongwm]

love these kind of videos Keep making then

[@cynths2768]

great video mate👍

[@manifestyourlife6]

His swing plane was one of the best ever imo, made him so consistent early in his career.

[@maxcaysey2844]

Who cares about swing plane any more? When its all about delivery... what that any good? Path, face to path, dynamic loft, etc... that's what counts? If it was plane, Jim Furyk and Mathew Wolf would not be professional golfers!

[@maxcaysey2844]

@@irbose9895 Because that's not aesthetic, nor natural for me... but swing planes is something pre launch-monitors... You also probably think that softer shafts will make you hook the ball right?

[@Christopher-li7uc]

@@irbose9895 lol

[@jakefromstatefarm6375]

@@irbose9895 he said right as in like correct?? 😂 have a good day!

[@aidangriffiths5075]

@@maxcaysey2844 swing plane is still important, it just isn't an accepted thing anymore that a particular swing plane is best. But there are important things in every swing plane that lead to correct and consistent impact

[@danmyers9372]

AK owes nothing to us, the golfing public. He clearly no longer has the passion to play competitive golf. I wish him only the best for him. I pray he finds himself and a vision for what and who he will be be in the remainder of his life. There are things that are way more important and valuable then playing golf.

[@JohnSmith-vd6fc]

AK owes us more. He became a celebrity. He should at least have appeared in a reality show or two. Maybe a tribe member on Survivor or a stint on Celebrity Rehab. Even just a crazy ex-girlfriend story or a punching match with Brad Garrett outside Nobu in Malibu would have been much appreciated.

[@glennprichard6513]

LIV sounds perfect for him

[@babysteps1]

He always had the greatest belt buckles

[@BillyDee159]

I agree with you it’s very sad. I followed him a couple times once at Oakland Hills at the U.S. Open and another time at the Honda. He hit a shot at the Honda that I’ll never forget….Uber talent. Just a shame.

[@jamesoreck6144]

The PGA is a grind. You have guys who eat, sleep and drink golf on the most competitive stage. Maybe he had enough money to do whatever he wanted. Maybe he was hurt and didn't want to come back as anyone but who he was. Burned out. For whatever reason Kim was a great shot maker and would be fun to see again.

[@dgwelch724]

I am fairly confident I saw him Snowboarding in Mammoth in January 2016. He looked very happy and did not look like he had a care in the world. if we all could be like that...

[@dw-nb2zh]

I'd be like that too if I had $10 million in the bank. But, alas, I have about 10 bucks.

[@ibarbadillo123]

Thanks for the video shedding some light on AK. Hoping to see him come back.

[@JohnDoe-xu2vx]

Being a 16 year old living at PGA West? How can this guy not miss the life he had?

[@showtime951]

Exactly! That's why he went right back to it.

[@danlee2191]

Probably cause it's the life his parents wanted for him, not AK... he knows this too and wants freedom from that expectation. Miss him on the golf course, but I'd do the same thing if I was in KTown with that insurance policy

[@wattstacks]

Keep your head up AK!

[@fredgerber8301]

I miss him and thought he was terrific however if the insurance story is true that might be a better deal for him given the depths of the field and the competitiveness. Good luck Anthony

[@golfgandalf6242]

he would have made wayyyy more than 20M playing golf and getting endorsements.. like wayyyyy more

[@bdh3949]

Golf is 60% physical and 40% mental. If you are not the full 100% intact in both aspects you cannot win on the PGA tour.. AK knows best for himself since he felt the difference between being 100% and/or less than so.

[@John_Wood_]

10/90 but yes

[@werquantum]

“… hit golf balls in front of Anthony to keep him calm while he was crying as a baby.” What a selfless father.

[@bryanwilson5402]

Man I miss AK, but he's gotta look out for number one. Great video

[@russellesimonetta3835]

Burned brightly then burned out! My dream when I was young, back in the seventies was to get a tour card and just set a record for making cuts. Top of the bottom. Go out to dinner and nobody noticing me. Perfect.

[@gullybop1695]

I hear ya. Nothing wrong with that plan.

[@ddd2rs993]

Like Charles Howell! That's perfect

[@jaydee5447]

Just a shame....dude was LOADED with talent....but if he doesn’t want it then I have to respect it

[@pjpredhomme7699]

It is incredibly hard to get to that level - and if you do - maintain it for a long period of time - this kid made it look easy. I hope he found something that he enjoys .

[@sontwo3948]

I was a big fan of Anthony Kim's. What I had heard was that a thumb injury and subsequent surgeries to fix it messed up his game. Sports injuries are a big reason many athletes have to give up the sport they love, and their careers. Hopefully, Anthony finds an alternative path to happiness.

[@exist223]

He's Back. Playing in LIV Golf garnered 65 and won. So, your story continues...

[@AedanLuke]

I’m still a big fan of AK! Hope to see him back in PGA.

[@dustinhirtle14]

He doesn’t even play golf anymore

[@K9388-n3z]

Love when they say the next TW. People don’t realize how good he was....

[@kalebzehr6850]

Right lol It's like they'll never learn

[@pushtostart1377]

Fr, when you see a 3 year old on the tonight show for playing golf then maybe you can say that’s the next Tiger, maybe.

[@Tigersmundo]

*AK knows what is needed to come back, being another SoCal kid making it work for him on his terms. I miss him and sure he misses being inside the ropes but the reality is he is not. AK you do you, hope your happy getting healthier day by day and have peace of mind that your still admired and respected around here in SoCal.*

[@markygrove6311]

I was an Anthony fan and hoped he make it back but if I bet it was a tough decision to come back or take a guaranteed 17+ million from insurance policy. Such a talented guy and charisma.

[@louissmith5298]

It would be easy to say how could he give up the life of a PGA tour pro no matter how much money is thrown at you but like every sport all we see is the exciting part, the heat of battle and the thrill of competing at the highest level. We don't see the 8 hours practice a day, the gym, the rehab etc etc. It contradicts what I said in another post but if AK had lost the hunger for hard work to keep a competitive edge 17 mil tax free would be hard to pass up. All depends on whether he had the fire in the belly to work his way back.

[@aprillovesgolf7042]

He didn't withdraw once, despite his round rust showing. Solid character shown. No ego excuses. Really enjoyed LIV the past 2 tourneys. Mr. Short Game hype and compassion is very humane. LFG ANTHONY!!! My money is on this wildcard.

[@2006matthewwrx]

HE'S BACK BABY!!!! LFG!!!

[@anaks247]

Yes sir! I’m hyped!

[@NIO3954]

He was a popular golfer...and heard that he was well liked by fellow golfers as well. I wish they get him to do analyst work...getting tired of listening to Chamblee and some of the older dudes...

[@guyrestivo]

Chamblee is the best thing on the golf channel...golf fans want knowledgable analysts...not fluff like u see on morning drive every day...morning drive..15 minutes of fluff...45 min of commercials

[@jonsnowsbacksurgeon6933]

a sub has been earned

[@TimC887]

AK will always be an enigma. No one knows the real reason for his choices, except him. Personally, I loved watching the guy but in the end it's his life and his choice. If he reads this comment I wish him all the best!

[@gullybop1695]

Yeah AK was the man when he burst on the PGA scene. I had high hopes for him.

[@toddgilligan]

subing at 28, i'm the 29th, boom!

[@CarlVandenberg]

Injuries have derailed a lot of good golfer's career's. It's not so much that they don't recover from the injury but can't find their pre-injury swing again. I'm not a pro or anything but I was a scratch golfer for many years. I had to have open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve and repair an aortic aneurysm, and I could never get my game back to where it was after that. The surgery was a success and my sternum healed fine, so I'm not really sure why I couldn't get back to playing like I did before the surgery. I do feel like I might have lost a little bit of flexibility in my torso but nothing that is really perceptible in my day to day life. I still play but not as much as I used to, and I don't keep an official handicap anymore but I'd guess it's somewhere in the high single digits. I used average low to mid 70's with the occasional sub 70 round and now it's more like low to mid 80's with an occasional sub 80 round.

[@yangher2703]

We want to see him back on tour again

[@franz289]

The insurance reason is possible but endorsements and tour winnings can easily dwarf that amount. The injury is also possible but with so much advancement in Sports Medicine, even Tiger with a fused back can return to form. What is not on your video was his dark side with alcoholism. He came in the tour a little heavy and was also enjoying a little more of the bottle. What ever happened, whether sponsor pressures or family concern, made him clean up and actually lost weight doing it. This is the AK we last saw drowning Sergio on the final day of the Ryder cup. Its possible that because of his injuries, the bottle came back and has since been there. John Daly was also in the dark side and tried to clean it up and with terrible results. We all saw JD having withdrawals during a tournament shaking and could not putt. The fact is he went back to drinking and began to normalize his life. There are people who have been that way that living without is no longer normal. Hoping AK is ok and not consumed by his dark side.

[@andychang8031]

I believe it wasn’t just alcohol..... you are on point.

[@joelb099]

Look at AK’s face today..His nose is caved in and one eye is seriously much bigger than the other..That my friends is more than just alcoholism..I think he was on the drug train for awhile..

[@bobypestano]

I feel your feelings...well done...

[@KyleRattay]

I loved watching him just almost as much as tiger!

[@jerrycustodio4773]

Loved AK..followed his career..he knew he wasn't going to be the same after his injuries..the younger guys were getting better,were healthy, and he'd have to play his best just to compete..he couldn't do that being injured..don't blame him taking the insurance

[@patrickdonovan9296]

He must have gotten medical information that says his outlook for recovery was grim. Even if his insurance policy paid somewhere between 10 to 20 million he could easily have made 5 times that with wins and endorsement contracts. It doesn’t made sense just to take the insurance money and run.

[@JohnDoe-xu2vx]

Anaka, do a story on "What happened to Jodie Mudd?

[@jimmyzhang0305]

I think most people are big fans of AK because he's one of the few tour pros we can relate to. He's not very regimental in his training and swing. He plays based on feels and how he's feeling that day. Apparently he doesn't even have cut down his clubs and prefers to choke down on all his clubs.

[@Tom_Swift]

The year is 2020, this video is being edited. No one ever could have predicted a rival golf tour is would start up and a few years later Anthony Kim is back to play on it.

[@Tom_Swift]

The PIF is basically paying AK a few million just like companies would pay for a super bowl commercial, they know they are gonna get eyeballs so they toss him a bag and get some people to actually watch LIV. Smart marketing, I will definitely check out his round.

[@michchanel19]

AK’s touch remind me of Jordan speith prime

[@scottcho6489]

$10-$20 million to sit out or play and maybe never make anywhere near that..... Tough choice especially if you know your game and body isn't what they used to be

[@maxcaysey2844]

Wouldn't a Nike endorsement deal pay that alone, not to mention all the other endorsement deals he might also do? And what about winnings? I would imagine that for 20 mil to be a good deal, he would have to know that he would never win again and even seldomly make the cut... if he could make the cut in 50% of the time I fail to see how 20 mil insurance deal is better than being crappy on tour!

[@BrandonGavin_EDC]

Max Caysey considering the level of talent and thin margins on Tour even him at 90% of what he was isn’t going to cut it.

[@John_Wood_]

He must still think what might have been. Just another NIKE casulty

[@BrandonGavin_EDC]

John Wood I think he lost passion for the game, Tigers dad was notoriously hard on him, but he could handle it and prospered. It seems like after college and getting away from his tough parents he found peace. The injuries happened and he couldn’t/wouldn’t work as hard as he had to get back to top form. The insurance just adds another layer knowing he’s set for life with that anyway and he doesn’t have to do anything to get it.

[@youngjock1985]

Good video. Yes I think he would have won a Major and been a multiple winner on the PGA Tour. Sounds like he fell out of love with golf.

[@michaelkia817]

I remember going to roger Dunn golf shop and seeing his picture on the window and it disappeared some time later. In my opinion, fast money for a young person that unsupervised and followed by parents or member of family that would be tough and hard him from girls , party’s and untimely fun , example, tiger , j Thomas and many other and the opposite, Jordan .

[@gregpresley7778]

I agree with you, I liked him alot, he is gifted,maybe there are other things in his life to work out, I surely don't know, I'll be praying for him and his return

[@PresidentGas1]

He always came off to me like a punk. Never noticed he was gone actually but now that you bring it up ... I am quite pleased. Drugs are a terrible thing.

[@TheRocketrob3]

2:05 then and look at him now 😮

[@williamweathers7818]

When Tiger Woods puts you in a public setting with him hitting balls that in and of it by itself is enough statement as to his talent but it takes more than talent to be on the PGA tour I hope he does well financially and maybe in the senior tour he comes out to play

[@gullybop1695]

He was a rising Star for real. Smh....

[@underpar3250]

Ak was a talent. He had the "it" factor. He was brash but he could sure back it up! A few years ago I was hoping for a comeback but sadly I think that window has closed. Absolutely 100% could have taken a couple majors. He went toe to toe with the games best and made the shots under pressure. Yep, AK definately had it.

[@lichtdatacommunicationsinc2793]

Genius = AK

[@stephenspence6261]

He was an exciting guy to watch! Sad story

[@jcdova29]

Damn what did happened to Kim? Last memory of him was in the Ryder Cup kicking some euro ass. If not for injuries he had game to compete with the top golfers so I would say a couple majors and way more money than that 20 million dollar insurance policy.

[@christophersmith2008]

Hi haters he’s backkkkkk

[@Mnil52]

I don't think the other players are too worried

[@richardoakley6560]

He has millions on the table if he comes back after his injury settlement. That’s why, he has no confidence that he’d replace that with his game in this era.

[@moemanncann895]

Don't we all have stories about defending ourselves from bullies growing up.. sad

[@gregd6706]

Huh??? WTF does that have ANYTHING to do with this? Very weird comment.

[@moemanncann895]

@@gregd6706 maybe listen to the first 3 minutes when it shapes his future 👍🏌️

[@shanetorr]

Well, now we can see him back in action. Hopefully with a a bit of time to get back in top form.

[@bryangrimsley5060]

Miss him !

[@yangher2703]

He was a young Korean pro golfer who brought the spot light to the young Korea golfers motivated themselves on the game that’s why now Korea has slot of good golfers.

[@billyburroo]

i think what ever is going on inside of his head we will never know but to not play because of money from an insurance claim does not stand up to someone who was good enough to make as much money on and off the golf course as he ever needed but his own words give an insight to the way he must think and also the way he was brought up when your father throws out your winners trophy's when you shoot over par and he states that he could not compete against these guys with leather gloves on meaning with niggling injures said alot

[@TheRocketrob3]

Finished 54/54 shot 76 today at Jeddah

[@andjammor]

Sad thing is he'll regret his decision later on in life - he had that special sauce that no other player had and he chose insurance money, drugs and booze over what could have been a truly special career

[@GregSzarama]

Drugs? Was that in the video?

[@andjammor]

@@GregSzarama No I played college golf and used to practice at the same range that AK's coach was based. He never had a drug problem, but he did like to party. He's special because he was an artist playing in a league full of robots. Similar to Tiger. Special

[@Arkane117]

Yeah, he read did have the talent to be a special player. It’s just too bad the world didn’t get to see just how far he could have gone if he kept going...

[@jeffv7046]

Maybe some Jordon parallels. Too much to quick. Greatness is fleeting.

[@dannyrand1733]

Am I to understand that if Anthony Kim decides to comeback and play it will all but null and void the 10 million insurance policy? If true, why would he chance it by coming back? I don't think i would either.

[@steveperry1344]

i had been wondering about him myself because he seemed like such a rising star about to really flourish. good luck to andrew kim.

[@Estimated]

and the Mullet has claimed another.

[@ScottSanderz19]

He had a great swing!

[@JohnDoe-xu2vx]

I thin k I would take the 20 mil too....bird in the hand

[@paullee5275]

AK had the best swing ever!!

[@EE-ie9gm]

No

[@michaeldonaldson8508]

He was awesome

[@rsgoodmm]

I remember him taking down Sergio in the Ryder Cup.

[@Murf1802]

I think Anthony had the best golf swing ever!

[@tomlynch7097]

Lmao hilarious

[@FriendM2010]

Took the insurance money... Suck it up, Buttercup ... 🤪

[@Planeiron]

Golf takes up valuable time.

[@TerryJLaRue]

I agree with those who hate phrases like ""He's the next Tiger Woods", etc. No, he is not. There is only one Tiger Woods, Tom Brady, Michael Jordan , whatever. If someone could be the next Tiger Woods, then who was Tiger Woods the next of? He wasn't the next of anybody, he was Tiger Woods. And the next whoever will be the next whoever, not Tiger Woods.

[@lrn_news9171]

When people say that they mean the player will have a similar impact on golf as Tiger and play at a similar level.

[@nickstadler1906]

"Anthony's parents enrolled him in the upscale private high school, Campbell Hall. However, trouble still followed as Anthony got into fights defending himself at the school. He got in one little fight and his mom got scared. She said, 'You're moving with your auntie and uncle in Bel Air.' He begged and pleaded with her day after day, but she packed his suitcase and sent him on his way."

[@bryanwilson5402]

Lololol

[@luckymanla]

you wouldn’t laugh if you’d seen how hard his dad pushed him every day at Studio City Golf.. he had to swing with Roger Dunn watching .. sonetimes Mike Austin.. and during breaks, do homework.. right at the range.. at 8-10 he was striping 3woods 250 halfway up the net.. sweetest smoothest swing you ever saw.. little chubster.. barely smiled.. always said ‘hi’.. he was a big draw.. every celeb in town hung out to watch him.. proud to say i knew him when..

[@jasonray8530]

One question..... what kind of "herb" store did his parents own?

[@anaks247]

That I don’t know, but I’m sure it was one with plenty of vegetation

[@jiminycricket6464]

It’s most likely oriental medical herbs (Eastern medicine)

[@algernonwolfwhistle6351]

A very talented player. Seems likely that his post-injury golf game was not good enough to compete at the highest level.

[@erikalexander6602]

This is why Jack Nicholas is the best golfer ever. Consistent over decades

[@joeface03]

Dude wasn't a big hitter back then and certainly would be short on an older body among today's bombers. If he got 10-15 mil from the insurance company, that was probably the right financial choice. Miss watching him play though.

[@staryeyedmonk]

Based on his trajectory... I think he would have gotten @ this point in 2020 about 12-15 wins with 1 or 2 majors..not more than that...everyone now just hits it so much further than he did.

[@budfox2337]

AK took the guaranteed insurance money. Instead of betting on himself. Plenty of players have had worse injuries and continued playing.

[@julianpapin9428]

Downhill 6:05

[@ryansamson2494]

Anthony was and still is a badass.

[@王毅-p1u]

AK lost his legs strength and swing.He will never be the same again😢not to mention alcohol effects on his current over party face😅.

[@Leftylobber]

He still lives in La Quinta at the Madison Club playing more poker than golf

[@TotokhanyisoNdude]

He had an awesome future

[@cccycling5835]

I don’t like comparisons to Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan. There will only ever be one, maybe forever. Until there’s another. You just have to wait, play the game, and see.

[@mikegarman2140]

We miss you Anthony.