Tour News

Anthony Kim to earn $10 million for not playing golf?

Published

10 years ago

Sep 18, 2014

According to a report from Golf.com, Anthony Kim may actually be making more money watching PGA Tour events than competing in them.

The last the golf world saw of Kim on the PGA Tour was when he withdrew from the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship citing wrist and elbow injuries, as well as continued pain from a surgically repaired left thumb. He was supposed to return for The Players Championship later that year, but decided not to play and ruptured his Achilles shortly thereafter.

Kim, 29, was once one of golf’s most talented players and held high promise for the future of American golf. He played with passion, swagger, talent and a dazzling, over-sized “AK” belt buckle. Although he traveled with a small entourage and was a notorious late-night partier, he earned nearly $10 million on the golf course between 2008 and 2010, with three PGA Tour wins in that span. At one point, he was also reportedly earning $6 million a year from his Nike contract.

The golfer has since become a recluse. According to Golf.com’s Alan Shipnuck, his friends on Tour don’t know where he is, his handlers at IMG rarely speak to him and employees at his favorite hometown bars and clubs in Dallas haven’t seen him in forever. So where is Anthony Kim?

He reportedly took out a $10 million (or more) tax free insurance policy that financially protects him in the case of a career-ending injury. Based on financial calculations in reports, Kim would have to win $35 million in prize money throughout the remainder of his golfing career to cover the value of the insurance policy.

“If I take another swing on Tour, the policy is voided,” Kim said, according to reports.

Kim’s close friends assure that he’s healthy, able to swing and financially stable, but there’s speculation about Kim’s desire to deal with the scrutiny from Tour officials, the media and the increasingly corporate direction of the Tour.

A few months ago, however, Kim reportedly called PGA Tour officials because he forgot his login information for the player portal and wanted to know his playing status. He has been spotted sporadically on the range at TPC Craig Ranch outside Dallas or on hitting range balls at Madison Club in La Quinta, Calif., and his friends say his game looks to be ready for the Tour. Despite his intrigue, he’s yet to enter any events.

Kim has reportedly toned down his expensive party habits, but hasn’t completely turned off the extravagant lifestyle. He recently took a trip to Belize on a whim, plays in a weekly high stakes poker game and cruises around Dallas in a Rolls-Royce Ghost — although he’s reportedly traded his tricked-out rims for stock versions.

So where does this leave him?

Kim still has Tour status based from a major medical exemption, but he’d need to earn $613,550 or more in his next 16 events to keep his card for the following season. Even if he was healthy, however, it’s unclear if Kim has enough confidence in his game and long-term health to make a return to professional golf, or if he really wants to deal with the media scrutiny that would be sure to follow.

If you had an insurance policy worth $10 million or more, would you?

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Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

30 Comments

Benny

Sep 28, 2018 at 5:54 pm

If Troy Polamalu can get a $1mil policy on his hair there is no doubt Pro athletes can get this sort of policy. I suspect he (like Tiger is and VJ was), has /had a pain pill addiction. Just my opinion but have a feeling this overwhelmed him and is why he disappeared completely. Tiger is slowly getting better but he sweets way to much for someone so fit. He is on suboxon therapy and very well could be why AK has emerged. Again just my opinion folks as I know personally.

Reply Report comment
leftright

Sep 24, 2014 at 9:26 pm

I know a guy who collects disability but plays golf 6 days a week. Studies have shown that fraud from disability is over 50% and that is everything that is wrong with the world. If AK can play he should play because he can. I am not sure how he can collect if he can play. People suing for 5mph fender benders and getting 100K, personal injury lawyers, fraud, lying, perjury, fake injuries because a segment of the population wants to sit around, do nothing and collect a check. I got rearended a few years ago and got about 50 letters from attorneys wanting to take my case because I was hit hard enough to break two ribs. People are rotten and that is why we have a rotten world.

Reply Report comment
- J.R.
  
  Sep 26, 2018 at 10:58 am
  
  I don’t disagree with your sentiment, because in general, insurance fraud is rampant. We agree there.
  
  However, the policy isn’t on his ability to golf, he was insured on his ability to earn a living on the PGA Tour. The difference between being able to physically hit golf balls, and win on the PGA tour couldn’t be more vast.
  
  Reply Report comment
Bill

Sep 21, 2014 at 11:31 am

Its not just $10 million for free, he has to pay for the policy and it wouldn’t be cheap.

The Pittsburgh Penguins wouldn’t let Sidney Crosby play overseas because it would have cost $400,000 a month to insure his $100 million contract.

Insurance companies are in the business of making money not giving away checks to people who decide to retire

Reply Report comment
Jafar

Sep 19, 2014 at 11:54 am

The dude could make more money from sponsorship especially being Asian American, his appeal overseas could land him endorsement contracts just like Tiger and Phil (40M-50M/yr)

The game is dying for some youthful personality, AK was supposed to be leading that new generation in.

Seems like he’s being lazy and doesn’t care to play the game anymore. He shouldn’t take his talents for granted.

Reply Report comment
rockflightxl1000

Sep 19, 2014 at 11:14 am

10 million tax free is a lot of money everyone! IMO, pro golf has to be the hardest of any professional sport to play for a living b/c your playing outcome is 100% correlated w/ your pay. AK is a smart guy and probably still loves the game but figures his future is best not playing anymore.

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Josh

Sep 19, 2014 at 10:32 am

I think some of you saying you would choose competition over the insurance policy are not considering something.

It is quite possible he would prefer to be playing on tour, therefore the interest in his status and occasionally being seen practicing. However, it is also very likely that he knows if he returns to the tour and can’t maintain his career due to repetitive injuries he will have in the process voided the insurance policy that will pay him for the rest of his life as well as potentially having to repay the amount received.

As much as it sucks its basically just a business/life decision that he is forced to make from what I gather.

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Richard Head

Sep 19, 2014 at 9:44 am

Referencing a source in the first paragraph does not allow one the then post full paragraphs based on the article without giving credit.

Reply Report comment
- bradford
  
  Sep 19, 2014 at 9:53 am
  
  The article is a complete waste…
  Untraceable references to “a friend of A. Kim”, make this nothing more than a blog post. Nothing factual, except maybe a brief history of why a 10-20M insurance is absolutely valid in A. Kim’s case.
  
  Reply Report comment
bradford

Sep 19, 2014 at 9:43 am

Golf.com is a joke. I have no idea if these is even remotely true, but nothing on Golf.com would ever persuade me either way.

Reply Report comment
twitch12

Sep 19, 2014 at 9:32 am

The insurance policy has a stipulation that it pays out if he cannot play golf at a tour level. There is a huge difference between being able to play golf and being able to play tour quality golf and maintain a tour schedule. If he attempts to play on tour and physically can’t, my understanding is the policy is void. It only pays if he doesn’t play again. They estimate he would need to make 35MM to equate to the 10MM cash/tax free. That is more than he has made in his career. It would probably be in his best interest to just quit. I would hate to see that because I liked watching him play.

Reply Report comment
MHendon

Sep 18, 2014 at 11:54 pm

I love competition and always play my best in a very competitive match. I would imagine most pro’s feel the same way. If it was me I’d rather play and compete for 2 million than sit on my butt for 10.

Reply Report comment
flam

Sep 18, 2014 at 11:46 pm

If true, very disappointing. If not, extremely disappointing that golf news has turned tabloid.

Reply Report comment
Airbender

Sep 18, 2014 at 11:36 pm

Good luck Anthony – Just make sure you don’t regret your decision.

Reply Report comment
dunn2500

Sep 18, 2014 at 10:34 pm

Sad to say most would cash out…shows how many have no integrity or will, little boys cash out imo…..However 10 mil won’t last long with his lifestyle….

If you are able you should make your way….He is young, he could easily surpass 30-40 mil….endorsement deals, and you can play golf well into your 60’s……what do you think purses will be in 10 yrs or even 20 yrs….10 mil isn’t that much money nor is all the BS he is going to receive for ” cashing in”….gonna close alot of doors and playing opens up a ton of em

I think he should man up and play

Reply Report comment
cody

Sep 18, 2014 at 9:57 pm

he is done. move along.

Reply Report comment
steve

Sep 18, 2014 at 9:56 pm

Why doe’s everyone assume that if he doesn’t go back to tour golf he gets the insurance payout? They won’t give him a dime if they think he is capable of playing golf, doesn’t matter if it is tour level golf. And in the article it says he has been playing some golf. It will be hard for him to cash in

Reply Report comment
Chris A.

Sep 18, 2014 at 8:14 pm

Looks like this article is stealing from this recent golf.com article

http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/anthony-kim-ryder-cup-breakout-star-2008-nowhere-be-found?page=1

Reply Report comment
- Alex
  
  Sep 18, 2014 at 10:25 pm
  
  you mean the one he referenced in the first sentence?
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Brian
    
    Sep 19, 2014 at 3:05 am
    
    HA HA HA HA +1.
    
    Reply Report comment
ally smith

Sep 18, 2014 at 7:32 pm

play. it seems he is healthy and able. be a man and earn your $$$. play the game that made you.

Reply Report comment
Ty Webb

Sep 18, 2014 at 7:22 pm

I call BS. The policy was probably taken out while he was on tour and healthy. If he played i assume the policy would still be in place if he were to get hurt again and suffer a career threatening injury down the line.

Reply Report comment
Jason

Sep 18, 2014 at 7:09 pm

Why would the insurance company honor the policy if he’s now healthy and able to play again?

Reply Report comment
- larrybud
  
  Sep 18, 2014 at 7:32 pm
  
  Because that must be the stipulation of the insurance policy.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Ctmason98
    
    Sep 19, 2014 at 8:15 pm
    
    The reporter(s) should produce the policy or be quiet. Highly suspect that such a policy would be written in the first place and if written would: a) be so iron-clad that it specifically allows for an individual to not play at “tour level” whatever that means and b) that the proceeds wouldn’t be taxable.
    
    Reply Report comment
Chris

Sep 18, 2014 at 6:58 pm

what people are forgetting is that it costs $$$ to be on tour. travel fees, swing coach, caddie, psychologist, agent, and whatever else these guys have in their absurd entourages all cost money. most importantly, tour winnings are NOT tax free. Do the math and he would have to make upwards of $25MM or so just to come close to the $10MM tax free insurance policy, not exactly a guarantee out on tour these days, esp if you’ve been out of the tour grind for 2 years

Reply Report comment
- Brian
  
  Sep 18, 2014 at 9:40 pm
  
  I love a good story about what is basically hearsay.
  
  Reply Report comment
Martin V.

Sep 18, 2014 at 6:31 pm

AK should return to the Tour because he can easily earn the same amount as the insurance coverage in no time.

It would be a shame someone like him missing out on the Tour

Reply Report comment
- Kyle W
  
  Sep 18, 2014 at 6:38 pm
  
  He has to earn $35 million in winnings to cover the $10 million tax free. Yeah he’s talented but being out of competitive golf for so long and the probability of aggravating old injuries and with todays competition level, he should take the $10 mill. He wont earn $35 mill for the rest of his career plus I dont think he cares to put in the work required to make that much money.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Rich
  
  Sep 18, 2014 at 6:47 pm
  
  But he could earn the $10m sitting on his butt and maybe $10-15m slugging it out on the tour if he’s not quite got it anymore. I know which way I’d go……….
  
  Reply Report comment

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