Three-time Tour winner is back after surgery
Two of golf’s brightest young stars — Anthony Kim, 25, and Paula Creamer, 23 — are fit, telegenic, marketable Californians, who hit their respective tours running. While Kim has won three PGA tournaments and earned more than $11 million, Creamer has captured nine LPGA events and made more than $7 million.
Both have rich endorsement incomes as well, thanks in part to their distinctive images (crafted by IMG), which set them apart on tours that breed homogeneity.
Something else Kim and Creamer have in common? Thumb surgery. This spring, both were forced to the sideline for the first time. Creamer, who had torn ligaments in her left thumb repaired on March 30, won her first major championship, the Women’s U.S. Open, 103 days later.
Kim, who had his damaged left thumb repaired on May 4, hopes to be on the same timeline in his quest for his first major. The final round of the PGA Championship — held next week at Whistling Straits — will be 103 days after his surgery.
But first, Kim makes his return this week at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
“I’m here to prepare for next week,” he told reporters. “I have four days of golf guaranteed, even if I shoot 110.”
In the invitational event, with a field of 82 players, there are no cuts. All of the world’s top 50 players are set to tee off Thursday at Firestone Country Club.
“I’m very excited to be back,” Kim said. “I actually had a little bit of adrenaline hitting balls on the driving range and hadn’t felt that in a long time.”
Kim has reason to be excited. Even with partially torn ligaments, he was off to the best start of his career — winning at Houston, finishing second at the Honda and third at the Masters — when he decided to shut it down because of the pain. Two days before his surgery in Baltimore, Kim tied for seventh-place at Quail Hollow.
“I am not sure how I’m going to play, but I’m going to come in with a good attitude, try to stay as patient as I can,” Kim said. “I know that’s going to be tough not having played for three months and probably will be a little rusty.”
And a little sore. A month into her return, Creamer was still experiencing pain, particularly when she hit shots from the rough. Kim said Tuesday that he was sore, but that X-rays taken that day indicated all was well.
“I’m going to go full speed,” Kim said. “I hit about 10 drivers yesterday and it doesn’t feel like I have the same pop. But it’s going straight, which hasn’t been the case the whole year. Just to have my thumb attached to my hand has been a plus.”
