Will PGA star ditch sport for insurance windfall?

The once proclaimed future of US golf has a big decision to make

Insurance News

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Would you walk away from your life passion for10 million dollars? That’s the dilemma PGA star Anthony Kim is apparently facing right now. 

After withdrawing from the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship after a first round 74, Kim announced he was taking five months off because of tendinitis in his left arm. He then tore his Achilles about six weeks later and has not played since.
 
According to a cbssports.com report, a source close to Kim revealed the potential reasoning for his absence to Sports Illustrated’s Alan Shipnuck.
The answer very well may lie in an insurance policy Kim has against a career-ending injury. An IMG source approximated its value at $10 million, excluding tax, and Kim’s close friend believes there could be even more money involved. 

“It’s significantly north of that. Not quite $20 [million], but close. That is weighing on him, very much so. He’s trying to weight the risk of coming back. The way he’s phrased it to me is, ‘If I take one swing on Tour, the policy is voided.’” 

Kim’s lavish lifestyle filled with stories of strip clubs, Rolls Royce’s, bottle service, big money card games and vacations to tropical destinations might be behind his absence. $10 million is no measly chunk of change. 

In 2008 Kim signed a massive deal with Nike after several experts labelled him the future of US golf, and his annual endorsement income peaked the following year at $6 million. 

Projections indicate if he did come back and regained his form he could make close to $35 million between winnings and endorsements. Ultimately though, that is a big ‘if.’ 
 

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