Minorities Pave Way For Anthony Kim To Skip L.A. Open

Daniel Wexler looks at the progressive nature of the event formerly known as the L.A. Open, while Doug Ferguson notes the power of IMG the interesting early season scheduling by the next great PGA Tour hope, Anthony Kim.

Anthony Kim grew up in Los Angeles and spent his last few years of high school in the Palm Springs area. But the West Coast swing will end without Kim at either of the PGA Tour stops in his hometowns.

He missed the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic with a shoulder injury, leaving Mark Calcavecchia to quip, "Has he heard of Advil?"

More peculiar is how Kim could miss the Northern Trust Open at Riviera. Instead, he is playing on the European tour for the second straight week, this time at the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth, Australia.

Kim has played only twice on the PGA Tour this year, tying for second in Kapalua and missing the cut in Phoenix.

Update on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 09:59 AM by Geoff

But at least AK got to stay in Australia this week, unlike his caddy.

Comments

[OWGR Fan]

AK (no not Anthony Kang) is simply following the guaranteed $$$ that IMG is arranging for him (See Norman, Greg and to a lesser extent Woods, Tiger).

If he tanks in Australia he still gets paid. If he misses the cut in LA and he might be hearing from the media whats wrong with Anthony Kim.

[PGA Gut Watcher]

Has Calcavecchia ever heard of ... not eating so much.

[thusgone]

leave ak alone. he's an independent contractor, etc.

[Old Tom]

The PGA tour is the slum of the professional golf tours. Those who are actually in the know have been saying for a while that the best players are going to explore the rest of the world. It's not only about money, it's about playing against the best in the world, not just the best to come out of the American College circuit.

OWGR, you seem to forget that Arnold Palmer was the orginal first client of IMG. your comment should read: (see Arnold Palmer and every other world class golfer that subsequently signed with IMG.

[OWGR Fan]

Old Tom were the matches that are on Golf Channel at 4am EST with Arnie, Gary Player, and 2 other players one of the deals Arnie would have been part of from IMG (or whatever IMG was named when they started out)? Interesting to hear Arnie and Gary do some of the announcing in those telecasts.

Wish those matches weren't always on at that time. Same with the Bobby Jones shows and the Sam Snead Celebrity Golf matches.

[Scottt]

Perth in February is a delightful place to be. Dare I say nicer than LA at any time of year?

[matt gullo]

I think AK is just trying to play more over the world to expand his market worldwide. Tiger played a lot more around the world when he was younger as well. I'm sure AK will be getting some nice appearance fees. I'm actually more excited to watch the Johnny Walker this week rather than LA. Hopefully Norman will do something.


www.the20thhole.blogspot.com

[Alastair]

Arnie, Jack, and Gary -- the big 3, and first 3 IMG clients.

Did you all ever hear the story about how Arnie tried to leave IMG but when they explained to him how his 10-year payout was structured for his ownership stake in IMG he caved and stayed on board?

[Double Secret Probation]

OWGR Fan,

A VCR or a DVR will take care of that timing issue for ya.

[OWGR Fan]

DSP.... I have neither of those..... :)

[rb]

can you say "appearance fees"?

[AK]

Can you say A to the Mother F'ing K, homeboy.

[David]

Actually a major part of the reason Kim is playing in OZ is that he has joined the European Tour to get a shot at the Race to Dubai. As a member of the Tour he's not allowed to receive appearance fees. Much as I enjoy bashing IMG too they're not to blame for this one. AK now has to play a minimum of 13 events ( including all the co-sponsored ones like the WGC's and Majors ) on the European Tour to qualify.