The $10 Million Question About Anthony Kim’s Return: Flush Reborn or Broken?

Anthony Kim is finally playing again this week. On Monday, LIV chief executive Greg Norman trumpeted what sounded suspiciously like the second coming as he hailed the American’s first competitive appearance since 2012.

Cue a collective roll of the eyes, followed by exclamations of what this breathless hype says about the broken state of the men’s professional game.

But before we get into the big statements about how pathetic a supposedly elite scene will look when a 38-year-old makes headlines 12 years after his last tournament, we need to remember who Kim was and who he could still be.

He may well show up again this week as a freak show guy who could take a $10 million insurance gamble to rejoin the circus, but rest assured his return would have been big news whether or not was a Saudi Arabia-funded breakaway league or not.

The myth of Anthony Kim has continued to grow with such fascination over the past decade that any tournament promoter worthy of their publicity department would long for his presence.

When he burst through the gates of the country clubs, Kim – or AK as he quickly became known – was America’s “can’t miss kid,” the country’s first since Tiger Woods. Back then, there was no Dustin Johnson, or Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, or Justin Thomas, or of course the next generation led by Collin Morikawa.

When Kim played the 2006 Texas Open, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Adam Scott were largely put off by Woods’ monstrous dominance. While there was a young Ulsterman by the name of Rory McIlroy threatening to storm the hegemony, here was a 20-year-old with the skill and swagger to at least promise a vibrant future.

Kim finished second in that first start on the PGA Tour and two seasons later was in the top 10 in the world, armed with the status of the first American under 25 to win twice in one year since Woods in 2000 the Tour. big, brash ‘AK’ buckle – the initials adorned with diamonds – and with a reputation for wild off-court parties and a complete disregard for risk aversion, he seemed like a Brat Pack all his own. Even Phil the Thrill was captivated by his chutzpah.

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“That AK was so impressive,” Mickelson said Sports illustrated. “He had guts. He was not afraid of anything or anyone. He had every shot, and he just kept coming, making birdie after birdie.”

Both Sergio Garcia and Augusta National were scheduled to testify. The former felt the full AK impact in the top singles match at the 2008 Ryder Cup – the 5&4 spanking setting the tone for Team USA’s first victory of the century. Six months later, the final produced 11 birdies for the fearless marksman in a Friday 65. Augusta had never before (or since) allowed more than 10 birdies in a single round, but Kim didn’t play by the rules. Not even according to the strict Masters rules.

Yes, there were concerns about his exuberance spilling over into bad behavior – a personal memory is AK Ian Poulter barging in between holes at that Kentucky Ryder Cup when the LA rabble-rouser didn’t even play in that session – but while the Tour produced so much clones, even the warts were attractive.

He started the 2010 season with Woods involved in his sex scandal and succession was certainly in order. Third place in the Masters only emphasized his quality.

And then the injuries came. First a thumb problem, then a wrist problem and after a torn Achilles tendon here and a torn rotator cuff there, in 2012, after three consecutive admissions, that was it. No official announcement, no tearful retirement, just no sign of “AK”. The weeks turned into months, the months turned into years.

In 2014 he was labeled ‘golf’s Yeti’. The phenomenal showman had become the Abominable Snowman of his sport. There were random sightings, bizarre anecdotes, crazy theories and everything else… apart from plaster casts of large footprints.

Stories kept popping up about Kim’s impending return. He was always on the verge of reappearing, forever in line for a sensational comeback. But then came the Kim insurance policy report and suddenly the legend had a plausible explanation.

Kim reportedly received $10 million for his career-ending injury, but if he wanted (or will) keep the payout, it would have to be just that: the terms of his policy stated he would no longer play professional golf can. If he took the plunge, he would have to pay back the money, and until the LIV tanks took to the pristine fairways to fire their inexhaustible fusillade of petrodollars, that seemed like an extraordinary sum of money.

And now? Well, $10 million was Pat Perez’s signing fee from LIV.

Are the Saudis paying off Kim’s debts, and in these feverish wave times when the power of the individual has reached ridiculous levels, is he banking on mining his cult-like celebrity for every gem on those belt buckles? Is he suitable? Can he actually be competitive again? After all, 38 is not old for a professional.

After more than 4,000 days of questions, golf feels the answers are overdue, but LIV has been sensible with its latest acquisition so far. Norman revealed Kim without mentioning his name, posting the obligatory cheesy promotional video below that also doesn’t dare reveal his name but is brave enough to make a pitch for “redemption” early on.

Over the top? Naturally. But inevitable. The focus of golf on Friday will be at the Royal Greens Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City as the saga becomes even more surreal.