Capelle On Golf

Three months after his 21st birthday Anthony Kim tied for second in his first PGA Tour event in September 2006. Then he attended the infamous Q School about two months later and finished 13t, earning his card for 2007. Eight tournaments into his rookie season Kim went on a tear. Starting at the Shell-Houston Open and ending at the Wachovia Championships he finished 5t, 36t, 3t, 51t, 5t. That’s three top fives in five events. Pro golf was his for the taking.

But after a 25t at Tiger Woods’ AT&T National, Kim embarked on a 15 tournament stretch from hell. His record: five missed cuts, seven finishes out of the top 30, a 17t and a 30t. The one bright spot was a 3t at the Bob Hope, which had its weakest field ever. Kim claimed that he had lost interest in the game and wasn’t working as hard as he should – a shocking but honest admission from a player with so much talent and desire.

Eleven weeks into the 2008 season Kim, a Korean American, managed a 5t at the Ballantine’s in South Korea. But then, with the Masters only four weeks away Kim, who was the 61st ranked player in the WGR, decided to take a week off even though he was only 11 places from qualifying for the Masters. I wrote an open letter to Kim on March 18, questioning decision.

Kim’s troubles continued. He missed cuts in New Orleans and Houston, failing to make the field for this year’s Masters. Maybe that week off served as a wakeup call.

Kim is Reborn as a Champion
At any rate, the week following the Masters Kim tied for second at the Verizon Heritage, then recorded a respectable 19t at the EDS Byron Nelson. Momentum was building. That brings us to the Wachovia Championships.

According to Larry Dorman of the NY Times, Kim was now a changed man. “Gone were the cocky demeanor and bad temper, replaced by a serene focus and determination that have him on the verge of his first professional victory,” said Dorman on the eve of Kim’s first PGA Tour victory.

Kim entered the final round with a four shot lead, which he acquired with long and accurate driving, excellent iron play, and superb putting. Still, this tournament was far from over. Kim could have protect his lead, but that is often a recipe for disaster. So Kim opted for the Tiger Woods Sunday game plan – he grabbed this tournament by the throat with five pars and four birdies for a tidy little 32 on the outgoing nine.

With the difficult back nine to go, Kim lead Ben Curtis by six shots. A poor tee shot and an even worse chip on 13, a bad bounce on 16, and a cautious bogey on the dangerous 17th lead to three bogeys and an incoming 37. No matter. The final accounting showed Kim as the winner by five big shots, and the new tournament record holder by three at 16 under par.

Upon rolling in a six footer for par on 18 for Kim did a Tiger imitation, pumping his fist while looking downward. Then he raised up, smiled, waved to the crowd and gave them a bow as if he were a performer on Broadway. On the way to the scorer’s tent Kim smiled and slapped hands and shared his victory with all in his path.

Kim in the Majors
As for the Masters, well it’s been taken care of for 2009. His win saw to that. His win also punched his ticket for the PGA. Kim is also a lock to play in the US and British Opens because his win took him from 37th to 16th in the WGR. Both events only require that a player be in the top 50 by the end of May.

Kim’s seven top fives in 38 starts have proven he can contend in PGA Tour events, and win. But this young man is special. He’s been groomed for big things in the majors, not just to make money. So far he’s played in two, finishing 20t at last year’s US Open and 50t at the PGA.

Now that he’s broken the ice, all eyes will be on the long hitting Kim when he tackles Torrey Pines in six weeks. He’s on golf’s radar screen. After the way he handled himself on Sunday, you can’t help but feeling that that he likes it there just fine.

Sidebar #1
Tiger Woods and Anthony Kim
As Anthony Kim made his way through the back nine on Sunday I jotted down a few notes. As I did, I started to see many similarities between him and Tiger Woods. Both of them:
Had dads they watched swing from a high chair.
Grew up in Southern California.
Are of Asian or part Asian descent.
Use the interlocking grip.
Hit it long.
Are in great physical condition.
Fist pump after good shots.
Like to grip down on the club.
Have a wide repertoire of shots.
Use Nike equipment.
Have very athletic swings.

Sidebar #2
The 7+ Majors Club in the Modern Era and Kim
The elite players of the Modern Era (1958+) began winning early, then made it a habit. Palmer likely would have won even earlier if not for a tour of duty with the Coast Guard. Will Kim join them as a member of the 7+ club. He’s got time on his side and he’s broken through. Time will tell, but it will be fun watching.
Age of first tour victory – age of first major
Arnold Palmer (25 – 28)
Gary Player (22 – 23)
Jack Nicklaus (22 – 22)
Tom Watson (24 – 25)
Tiger Woods (20 – 21)
Anthony Kim (22 – ?)