TWIG Jan. 29th

Welcome back to TWIG (This Week In Golf)

Today we have a few big stories in the goings on in golf. The biggest and most exciting is the long awaited return of the mythical man himself, Anthony Kim. The 38 year old Kim has not played a competitive round of golf since the first round of the Wells Fargo in 2012. Most golf fans know the story of his sudden rise to the number 6 player in the world in his second season on the PGA Tour and his what seemed even faster fall to forced retirement due to injury.

The Los Angeles native and University of Oklahoma star captivated fans with his aggressive play and flashy but not disingenuous style. He was tapped as the next big star when he won his first two tournaments in his first two seasons on tour. If you know who Anthony Kim is you are also familiar with his story on why he disappeared from golf. He collected on an insurance policy after his string of injuries which included a bad wrist and a ruptured achilles. The insurance payout was reportedly between $10 and $20 million.

He then basically vanished. He was rarely seen in public but around 2021 a few videos of him swinging a golf club on a range somewhere unknown started to appear on social media. “Is that really him” “his swing looks amazing still” “he can still play” “what a beauty” “golf needs him back.” The comments and hype were piling up, fast. If he makes a return to golf I personally cannot wait to see him play and also if he still will rock his infamous diamond studded belt buckles.

Now the question everyone is asking is whether his return will be to the PGA Tour or perhaps if LIV will scoop him up. Either way due to his insurance payout he will have to pay that money back should he return to professional golf. Some jock sniffers of the tour say that will be easily accomplished playing with the PGA. With endorsements and potential great play, yes this is totally feasible. However if he signs with LIV he could, depending on the number, pay that off and start making money almost instantly upon signing a contract. Only time will tell but one thing is absolutely certain, the golf world will be glued to “AK” the second he steps on the tee.

Next on the tee is Tyrrell Hatton

LIV Golf and the PGA Tour are still negotiating a unification of professional golf. Both groups met in New York last week to continue talks which says to me agents are screaming at their clients to grab the bag while they can.

Tyrrell Hatton has secured his bag of cash. Even though it has been three seasons since his last victory, a handful of top ten finishes as well as a few runner ups (2023 Players and 2023 BMW Championship) have him still playing some damn good golf. His new deal with LIV is worth a reported $65 million and the Englishmen is rumored to be joining up with Ryder Cup homie Jon Rahm on his team.

Je suis Torrey

The PGA Tour was in San Diego this past week for the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. I will mention the winner Matthieu Pavon, the first frenchman to ever win on the PGA Tour birdied the par 5 18th hole to secure his victory and $1.6 million payout. Congrats Matthieu.

Also worth mentioning the guy who I’m always rooting for is Nate Lashley and his T-3 finish. With two rounds of 67, even with shooting one over on the first day Lashley and his game showed up big. One of the best guys on tour who has a wild backstory and if you watch him play you will find yourself cheering him on every time he tees it up.

You’re a beauty Lash, keep it up!

Until next time, may your time in the trees be due to safety meetings.

Larry