The question being askedad nauseumthe past couple of weeks was which golfer had the talent, the confidence, the swagger to step into the void left by Tiger Woods’ season-ending knee surgery. That question may have been answered Sunday with Anthony Kim’s convincing win at the AT&T National hosted by the aforementioned Woods.
So convincing that, while the final group was on the eighteenth hole, Kim, having finished 20 minutes earlier, was receiving a congratulatory phone call from Tiger. Here’s what we heard Kim saying:
"T-Dub, what up man?…Thanks bro’, I appreciate it….Thank you. You in Florida?"
"That must be nice."
"I’m trying to get some wins so I can do that myself."
"I got it, I appreciate it man…thank you…thank you…I appreciate it."
"Thanks for the call bud…thank you, talk to you soon."
So besides an easy rapport with Tiger, Kim’s victory made him the first American under 25 years to win twice in a season since Tiger. And wouldn’t it be nice to be able to call Tiger "T-dub, Bro’ and Bud"?
With AK, it’s tempting to say there’s at least as much there as meets the eye. And maybe quite a bit more. Bold, aggressive, precocious and talented, the 23-year-old pretty much bounces down the fairway, a swagger in his step. When Nike staged a fashion show last fall in New York, of all the golfers and athletes it might have invited, it was Kim who turned up in the big city, accompanied by his girlfriend, taking in the show and soliciting restaurant recommendations afterwards. Forget the trappings of fame, some guys just like the stage.
Not only is AK sponsored by Nike, but he wears the TW collection that’s designed and styled to the specifications of Tiger. And, as the folks at Nike might tell you, AK dials up the ‘tude: Collar up, pink as a peacock, diamond encrusted "AK" belt buckle (the size of a hubcap), and fist-pumping his way through the back nine on Sunday. He’s not just posing, either. He shot 65 Sunday.
What’s next for AK? He has his sights centered on the upcoming British Open, believing his game is favorably suited for Royal Birkdale. But even if he doesn’t follow this win with his first major, one is left with the opinion that AK will be banking more pay days while the biggest cat of all, Tiger, is away. — Rico Williams