[비즈한국] At the LIV Golf Adelaide tournament, Anthony Kim won for the first time in a staggering 5,795 days—16 years. Anthony Kim had completely faded from public interest during a long period marked by a thumb injury, an Achilles tendon injury, struggles with alcoholism and substance abuse, and controversies surrounding whether he decided to retire to collect insurance payouts. I also liked Anthony Kim, but after he disappeared, I only had a faint memory of him, thinking, 'There was a player like that.' However, Anthony Kim is now the hottest, most talked-about player in LIV Golf, or rather, in global golf. His victory after 16 years has summoned the most dramatic comeback stories in golf history, which are often described as the most beautiful. Of course, Anthony Kim's revival is one of them. Let's look at what moving stories of returns, comebacks, and resurrections have been written in history.
Ken Venturi (1931-2013)
Ken Venturi was a protégé of the legendary golfer Byron Nelson and a playing partner of the equally legendary Ben Hogan. He even served in Korea as a member of the U.S. Forces in Korea. He suffered from a stutter. However, it is said that it was because of this condition that he started golf and was able to dedicate himself to the sport, as golf requires no words. He turned pro at the age of 25 in 1956 and accumulated 10 tournament wins over a 36-month period from 1958 to 1960.
Venturi, who seemed destined for continued success, was involved in a car accident in 1961. The injuries were not major, but after the accident, he fell into alcoholism, leading to a rapid decline and a long slump. Then, at the 1964 U.S. Open, he faced a serious health threat due to dehydration in the sweltering heat, but he overcame it to win. Ken Venturi even made a surprise appearance as a commentator in the golf movie 'Tin Cup,' starring Kevin Costner and Rene Russo.
J.B. Holmes
Do you remember a player named J.B. Holmes, who showed tremendous driving distance with a very unique, self-taught swing? Though a bit dishonorable, he was also the poster child for slow play. In 2011, Holmes withdrew from a tournament due to dizziness. Holmes thought it was simple dizziness, but the symptoms were more serious than he expected. Due to a brain malformation, he had to undergo two brain surgeries. He had a procedure where a quarter of his skull was removed and titanium was inserted. After this surgery, he surprised many people by returning to the tour. Even more surprising was that he achieved his third win at the 2014 Wells Fargo Championship. It is said that he displayed the pieces of his skull on his windowsill at home after the surgery.
Babe Zaharias (1911-1956)
There is a female golfer named Babe Zaharias. Born in 1911, her birth name was Mildred Ella Didriksen, but she later took the surname Zaharias after marrying professional wrestler George Zaharias. Her nickname, 'Babe,' is said to have been given to her after she hit five home runs in a childhood baseball game, a testament to the fact that she was a player who stood out incomparably in every sport.
She won two gold medals and one silver medal in the Olympics in track and field—specifically in hurdles, high jump, and javelin—and was later named an All-American as a basketball player. She took up golf at the late age of 24, participated in men's tournaments, and then turned pro in 1947. She is essentially the original version of Annika Sörenstam or Michelle Wie, who competed against the men. She recorded 8 wins in 1949 and 9 wins in 1950. Considering the number of tournaments at the time, this was an overwhelming winning percentage. She boasted a supernatural ability to win every tournament she entered.
Then, in 1953, she was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery to remove her entire colon. The greatest female athlete in human history did not give in to cancer. She returned to the field, won the 1954 U.S. Women's Open, and achieved five wins in total. She passed away in 1956 at the age of 45. At the time, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower honored her death, saying, "She was a great athlete and gave great inspiration to us all."
Tiger Woods
The history of Tiger Woods is a history of records. Among his records—such as 82 total wins (tied with Sam Snead), 142 consecutive cuts made, 683 weeks at world No. 1, and four consecutive major wins—none have ever been ranked as 'absolutely unbreakable.' However, Tiger Woods' history is also a history of injuries. His major injuries began with a torn ACL in 2007. He has undergone at least seven surgeries on his back. He has also had surgery on his Achilles tendon, and suffered from ankle and left knee injuries, as well as plantar fasciitis. After back surgery in 2014, he missed the entire 2015 and 2016 seasons. He repeatedly announced comebacks only for them to fall through.
He returned to the tour in 2017 and played a minimum number of matches before winning the Masters Tournament in 2019 at the age of 43. It was his 15th major win, and his first major win in a staggering 11 years. It was a one-stroke victory, and the runners-up at the time were Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Xander Schauffele—young guns who were in their absolute prime. At the time, media and fans of Tiger Woods, including myself, immortalized this historic moment with headlines and text calling it the greatest comeback in history. Although the odds are not high, I hope Tiger Woods will show us the emotion of another comeback and enduring strength. Somehow, I don't think Tiger Woods will end here. Because he is Tiger Woods.
Phil Mickelson
He won the 2013 Open Championship, a major tournament. In an interview at the time, he said, "I think I finally understand putting now," which left me very flustered. What kind of nonsensical statement was that? Isn't Phil Mickelson a master of putting and a god of the short game? It made me humble myself quickly.
After that, many fans expected and believed that if Phil Mickelson could just win the U.S. Open, he would achieve the career Grand Slam. I was one of them. But after this victory, a long slump followed. Was it the curse of the Open Championship trophy, the 'Claret Jug'? During that time, Phil Mickelson changed his swing coach, had two hernia surgeries, and his wife, Amy, was still battling illness. He had no wins for five years. The frontrunner for the career Grand Slam became a worry, with people wondering if he might never win again. However, there was a twist. He had one win each in 2018 and 2019, and while he was winless in 2020, he won the 2021 PGA Championship, a major tournament. He became the oldest major tournament winner in history. 50 years and 11 months old. This comeback was a revival from age, having conquered time. It sparked a flame of hope for many over the age of 50 and became proof that regardless of age, one can burn brightly like a flame again.
Ben Hogan
Ben Hogan is the bible of the golf swing. He could even be called the founder of current golf theory and golf lessons.
Sometimes, when I take out Ben Hogan's 'Five Lessons' and read it again, I tap my knee in realization and feel as if I've encountered the wisdom of an ancestor, thinking, 'Ah, that's why he said that.'
In 1949, Ben Hogan was driving his Cadillac on a humid and chilly Texas road with his wife. He crossed the center line and collided head-on with an oncoming Greyhound bus. He suffered all kinds of fractures, including a collarbone fracture, compound fractures, an ankle fracture, and rib fractures, along with facial injuries. Ben Hogan was 36 at the time. It was the peak of his career as a golfer, when he was as seasoned as he could possibly be. Doctors told Ben Hogan that he would be lucky if he could walk again and that it didn't seem likely he would be able to play golf again.
But Ben Hogan stood up again. Despite his doctors' warnings, he was discharged 59 days later and won the U.S. Open held at Merion less than a year later. After this car accident, Ben Hogan captured six major titles. Although it has been 77 years since Ben Hogan's car accident, many fans still select this overcoming of adversity and comeback as the greatest revival in golf history, holding his fighting spirit in high regard.
Such comebacks and revivals are not limited only to great players. Those stories exist for amateur golfers and weekend golfers, too. And they exist in life as well. There are very personal and touching stories where, after quitting golf due to injury, illness, or other reasons, or when things weren't going well, golf is reignited in one's life. It's spring. The season has begun. Let's create a story where our prime makes a comeback.
Writer Kang Chan-wook? An advertiser and author. He started as a copywriter at Cheil Worldwide and is currently the CEO of the video production company 'Gaze of the Times.' He loves golf and earned his USGTF teaching pro certification, and out of his affection for writing, he has published golf books such as 'The Joy of Golf,' 'Bad Golf,' 'Sincere Golf,' and 'Golf Thoughts, Thoughtful Golf.' He runs the YouTube channel 'Bad Golf,' sharing various stories and thoughts about golf with readers and viewers.