‘The Legend That Never Was’: Reminiscent Wishes Pour in For Forgotten Golf Icon on His 38th Birthday

The game of golf yearns for a hero. Someone who can carry the mantle and emerge as the leading player of his generation. A certain Tiger Woods has carried it long enough into the twilight of his career, but it’s time for someone else to take responsibility.

While several big-time players can try to fit the bill, long-time fans will have only one name in mind; the golf myth, Anthony Kim, who turns 38 today.

What happened to the birthday boy, Anthony Kim?

The only son of South Korean immigrants, Kim exhibited talent like never before. Infused with a winner’s mindset, the prodigal boy made heads turn with his demonstration of how to play golf.

Kim was already making waves in collegiate golf, where he set the school record for the lowest career scoring average in the institution’s history. Additionally, he fueled his team to victory at the 2005 Walker Cup, which was played at the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, Illinois.

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A year later, Kim made his PGA TOUR debut with a tie for second at the 2006 Valero Texas Open. He soon won his maiden trophy on the tour with a win at the Wachovia Championship with an extraordinary score of 16-under par 272, which was the lowest ever in the tournament’s history until 2015.

More wins followed, by which the world started to take notice. Kim was rising in the world golf rankings too, which allowed him to participate in the prestigious Ryder Cup in 2009. His impressive scorecard of 3-1 helped his side, Team USA, to a dominant win.

However, when greater accolades loomed over, his career gradually started to fall apart. Envisioned by many as next-in-line after Tiger Woods, injuries hampered Kim’s progress. In 2012, the Los Angeles-born underwent a life-changing surgery for his Achilles tendon, which was expected to take a year to heal completely.

But months turned into years as Kim failed to play another event on the PGA TOUR. But why has he completely shunned the game he loved?

Why did fan-favorite Anthony Kim quit golf?

Various theories have revolved since Kim’s abandonment. Back in 2015, the former golfer claimed that injuries have prevented him from returning to the sport. However, a swirling myth was also confirmed, which explained why he was turning a blind eye to golf.

According to a major media house, the once-talented golfer took up an insurance policy during the peak of his career. A contract was churned up to protect Kim in case a major injury pops up. According to rough estimates, he would earn between $10 million to $20 million if he endured life-threatening damage. The only problem? He wouldn’t be able to return to golf again.

While Kim hasn’t been around the circuit for a number of years, he still manages to capture the imagination of fans worldwide. After more than a decade since playing on the PGA TOUR, the crowd favorite manages to trend on social media, with more birthday wishes than a regular tour golfer.

Here are some of the fans’ comments on Kim’s 38th birthday. “What ever happened to this guy? He was a damn good golfer,” a user claimed. “He could of [sic] earned so much more playing instead of collecting insurance,” said another.

Others decided to quench their disappointment by summarizing Kim’s career in one line. “A dude who lost his love of the game and became a myth,” one said. “The legend that never was,” said another.

Kim’s unexplained disappearance from golf left an intriguing insight into his life. The bits and pieces about him claim that the Ryder Cup hero likes to party nowadays. He’ll be enjoying his evening today, while the world bids its time to watch their hero once again.

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