Is Anthony Kim, nearly as good as Kenny Perry?

[Yuck]

Food for thought.....

 

In the last year or so, there are some voices that trumpet AK as the next Tiger. He is one of the best young players in the world, but I would say he has nearly reached the level of Kenny Perry not TW. Since Kenny has played a lot longer, we will focus on 2007 until present. During that time, KP has won 4 times, AK twice. KP has won more money. KP has made more cuts, KP is a considerably better ball striker in both Total Driving and GIR. KP has had a lower scoring average 2007, 2008 & 2009. AK is a significantly better putter. They both have not won a major. They both dominated their singles matches at the Ryder cup and earned the some number of Ryder cup points. They have nearly the same number of top 10's. KP has a slight edge in events they both played in. And AK is ranked 10th in the world, KP is ranked 9th..

 

 

This is not a slam on AK, rather an observation that KP is a better player then many give him credit for. He now has 10 wins since turning 40, a half dozen since 2005, the year he turned 45. He has more then $27 million in official earnings, placing him well inside the top 10 all time. He has been one of the best drivers of the ball for 20+ years. His putting has gone from below average to average. At the end of the day he has had quite a career for a journeyman with a home made swing.

[pu_golf88]

I think the reason people place AK and TW in the same sentence in because they both stood out early. Not so much with KP. Good argument though, you make a lot of valid points.

[skinny99]

I like Kenny Perry a lot,he is a great player that drives the ball extremely well. I think that AK has a different game though! His shotmaking and ability to adapt are going to set him apart from the others. He has the potential to be a world beater. There is no doubt that KP has had a better couple years than AK, but this is the time when AK is learning and maturing enough to be a great player,KP went through this phase when AK was in diapers. When that transition is complete we will see a fully developed player that will make a great run at being the the #2 player in the world. They are both a lot of fun to watch though,they share a great fearless style of golf that is exciting to watch. IMO Todd

[Bomb and Gouge]

Kenny Perry is the NEXT TIGER!

[QuigleyDU]

i agree with everything that you said i think that kenny perry is one of the most under rated players on the pga i think that is because he is so not flashy his swing will grooved and very good is not "pretty" he is a fairways and greens guy but has good length. so he is just boring compared with the young AK or villages (think i spelt that wrong) or some of those other guys. but he wins a couple of events a year never really competes in majors his hard draw sings does not suite well for those. i dont eventhink he attends the british open any more. i remember a few years back that he said playing there and fighting the wind for a few days always screw'd him up so bad that he played bad the rest of the year so he doesnt go anymore.

[kekoa]

In an interview, i heard KP say he has nothing to lose. He's played for several years on tour and has done well. I think that helps a lot to know there is know pressure. If he wins, he wins, if not it won't make or break him. They guy has accumulated millions to live off comfortably for a long time. Oh and he can go to the champions tour when eligible if he wants and probably dominate there.

 

 

I'd disagree that AK is a better putter than KP though. Not sure of the stats, but KP is damn solid w/ the flat stick. my .02

[Ace In The Hole]

I think all you had to do was look at the playoff yesterday, and although Kenny Perry won, and is an amazing golfer, his shot making ability is very lacking, and it really showed in the playoff, just for the fact that he only plays a draw, and really doesn't have a cut shot in his bag. For this reason alone I think AK has a better shot at winning a Major. Now that being said Kenny Perry is a freak of nature, for him to have as many wins as he does so late in his carear is just unreal, and I think he will win at least one or two more times again this year, he is just that good at managing his shots, and the course. I think in the next year we will see more comparisons to Rory McIlroy being that he has contended in the B Open, and now won a pretty big tourney in Dubhi. I believe he has now moved up in the world rankings that he should be Augusta bound so I am excited to see how he can do on the American scene. Golf has some very exciting young, middle age, and older golfers, it's a great time to be watching.

[bradski]

I agree with above. KP is a great player and is probably the strongest head on tour. Almost the opposite of PHil. Now KIM has a good head but not as good as kenny. Kenny will go out one day and keep hitting the same shot. Geoff Ogilvy did this when he one a few weeks ago. Anyways my point is Kenny is great but wont have even half as many shots in his bag as lets say a Phil, Kim, or Sergio. So more pottential with those guys and the big difference is they can escape problems better which they seem to get in more.

[callawayfan]

It's hard to say that AK is better than KP because he hasn't won nealry as much in his career or in the last season and into this one

 

but one day soon im sure AK is going to add a lot more PGA and even Major titles to his name.

[Eleventeen]

KP may only play a draw but AK only plays a fade. He's said, in one way or another, his draw lacks controls and prays for it to go where he wants.

 

both great players!

[Scotttau]

The major difference I see is that AK has a hope of winning on a course where you have to hit something other than a high ropey hook. Kenny Perry selects his tournaments well, but he hasn't nearly as much raw talent as AK.

[Trendsetter916]

Kenny Perry has a lot more experience as a professional golfer which makes him better as of now because situations he gets in are not for the first time. I think experience pays off well for him and he is a good overall player. Ak on the other hand is just more exciting to watch. Golf is boring enough to watch but when AK steps up and has the laid back attitude and just being a free spirit kid makes it fun to watch. But him being young like me and partying all the time and breaking his driver and getting DQ and things of that nature make him suffer. And the fact that he is with nike with Tiger is what makes it worth comparing him to Tiger. And that their Dad's taught them the game all those things I think is why the media compares him to Tiger.

[macboy]

I think he's better than most and in a few years i think he will ne No 1

[kbrussell]

I will take Kenny Perry for the remainder of the season for $25 vs Anthony Kim when they are in the same tournaments...AK has a tremendous potential, but at this point it remains potential...he seems to also be very streaky, and Kenny has learned to manage his shot shape and game very well, to the tune of a number of wins in the last two years...He is one of the best drivers of the golf ball on tour, draw or not. When his putter is hot, he is there every week...AK's ballstriking lets him down...

[Scotttau]

Maybe we need to wait until AK is 47 and compare...

[iteachgolf]

Guys he is in his 3rd season as a professional. Statistics say you don't hit your peak until your early 30s and AK has 10 more years til he is 33. We will see how good he is in 20 years and I'm guess he will have many more wins that Kenny Perry. I would also disagree with saying he only hits a fade. I watched him a small draw for virtually the entire 9 holes I watched him play unless a fade was needed. Can't argue records for someone 23 vs. someone who is 47

[Matt727]

Iteach..

exactly right,

and i really do think if it were match play AK vs Perry, AK would win, because he has that edge that gets it done...lets just say this...i know its a big if but, if AK was playing well and was on the last hole..would he have chunked 2 shots in a row..then bogeyed the first playoff hole, and barely won?

I think he would have easily parred the 18th, and called up TW and said whats up..haha

[bradski]

this wouldn't even have been a discussion after last years ryder cup. Ak by and landslide. truely has the potential to be a continual top 5 on tour. Perry has a couple more years on top five play and then will be above average.

[JakeBarnes]

Maybe we need to wait until AK is 47 and compare...

 

 

well, then we can at least call him AK 47

[Scotttau]

:D

[dpb5031]

Guys he is in his 3rd season as a professional. Statistics say you don't hit your peak until your early 30s and AK has 10 more years til he is 33. We will see how good he is in 20 years and I'm guess he will have many more wins that Kenny Perry. I would also disagree with saying he only hits a fade. I watched him a small draw for virtually the entire 9 holes I watched him play unless a fade was needed. Can't argue records for someone 23 vs. someone who is 47

I agree with Teach; Kenny Perry may be underrated but a comparison to AK is comparing apples to oranges. People are hopeful about Anthony Kim becasue he is young, very athletic and clearly possesses a lot of raw talent. A player at 48 may have some good golf left in him, but let's face reality, at that age he is not going to be considerd as the next great player to come along and challenge Tiger. Anthony Kim is in that category because with his immediate skill set, his youthfulness and his athleticism, one could imagine him improving with time and experience to become one of the greats of the game.

[QuigleyDU]

ha now thats funny

[Dr. Bombay]

Food for thought.....

 

This is not a slam on AK, rather an observation that KP is a better player then many give him credit for. He now has 10 wins since turning 40, a half dozen since 2005, the year he turned 45. He has more then $27 million in official earnings, placing him well inside the top 10 all time. He has been one of the best drivers of the ball for 20+ years. His putting has gone from below average to average. At the end of the day he has had quite a career for a journeyman with a home made swing.

 

def'n - 'journeyman' - an experienced and competent but undistinguished worker

 

with all the things you list above I don't know how he could be referred to as a "journeyman"?!?

 

- 13 tour wins over 18 years (including Memorial in '91 and again in '08)

- 2 Ryder Cup and 3 President's Cup appearances

- $28mm+ in official earnings (and a lot more in other tourneys)

 

one guy said "he picks his courses real well" inferring that he only wins on courses where a draw works....pretty sure Jack Nicklaus is known for designing courses that strongly favor a high fade? so 2 Memorial wins blows that argument up.

 

also won at Colonial which is short and tight and requires a lot of "working" of the golf ball. won Bob Hope Desert Classic which is a birdiefest. sounds to me like he's perfectly capable of winning on any golf course.

 

sounds like a star at a minimum... (assuming superstar status reserved for major winners)

[leaningtiger]

AK will win more majors in his career. KP might win one if he would play in more of them. Going into last year's Open Championship, whom would you have given a greater chance to win, Norman or Kenny P?

[Dr. Bombay]

AK will win more majors in his career. KP might win one if he would play in more of them. Going into last year's Open Championship, whom would you have given a greater chance to win, Norman or Kenny P?

 

 

master of the obvious...

[Milo]

See how they both do in Majors this year and decide after the PGA. When comparing top ten golfers only majors count.

[SDGolfing]

Food for thought.....

 

This is not a slam on AK, rather an observation that KP is a better player then many give him credit for. He now has 10 wins since turning 40, a half dozen since 2005, the year he turned 45. He has more then $27 million in official earnings, placing him well inside the top 10 all time. He has been one of the best drivers of the ball for 20+ years. His putting has gone from below average to average. At the end of the day he has had quite a career for a journeyman with a home made swing.

 

def'n - 'journeyman' - an experienced and competent but undistinguished worker

 

with all the things you list above I don't know how he could be referred to as a "journeyman"?!?

 

- 13 tour wins over 18 years (including Memorial in '91 and again in '08)

- 2 Ryder Cup and 3 President's Cup appearances

- $28mm+ in official earnings (and a lot more in other tourneys)

 

one guy said "he picks his courses real well" inferring that he only wins on courses where a draw works....pretty sure Jack Nicklaus is known for designing courses that strongly favor a high fade? so 2 Memorial wins blows that argument up.

 

also won at Colonial which is short and tight and requires a lot of "working" of the golf ball. won Bob Hope Desert Classic which is a birdiefest. sounds to me like he's perfectly capable of winning on any golf course.

 

sounds like a star at a minimum... (assuming superstar status reserved for major winners)

 

Kenny Perry is a great golfer. However, his tournament wins have been on golf courses that number one suit his game and number two have weak fields. The number one word you have to look at in this debate is "potential". AK has the potential to be a dominant force in this game. When I say dominant I mean multiple major wins against the worlds elite. Let us not forget it is quite hard for Kenny Perry to win majors when...HE WONT EVEN PLAY IN THEM!!!! How can you have one of your best years on tour and not even give yourself a shot? Why? Because you know you cannot win. People do not skip golf tournaments they know they can win. You brought up Jack right? How many Majors did he skip? You think ALL those golf courses were designed for him? He knew he could win no matter the course. Let me ask a better question. Who's career is more impressive...Tom Lehman or Kenny Perry? I will take Lehman's all day everyday. British Open and Tour Championship are not the shell houston open my friend.

 

Biggest point....10 years from now you will think of Kenny Perry and be like uhhhh who? And AK will have 3-4 majors.

 

Answer....AK.

[rankoutsider]

Guys he is in his 3rd season as a professional. Statistics say you don't hit your peak until your early 30s and AK has 10 more years til he is 33. We will see how good he is in 20 years and I'm guess he will have many more wins that Kenny Perry. I would also disagree with saying he only hits a fade. I watched him a small draw for virtually the entire 9 holes I watched him play unless a fade was needed. Can't argue records for someone 23 vs. someone who is 47

 

Well, maybe so, but once upon a time we would have been saying "Ty Tryon is going to eat Kenny Perry's lunch, and then have him kicked out of the country club." The thing is, you can't take anything away from the guys who have already done it. Kenny Perry is a total class act and a GREAT player. I think he is going to go down as a bit of Bruce Lietzske type of golfer: "If only he wanted to beat everybody senseless every week...." He just doesn't seem to be that kind of guy, but I kind of wish he was.

 

But what I will say is that Kim seems to have a bit of that going on, so that might be really good for the next few years.

 

My '02

[dlygrisse]

Guys he is in his 3rd season as a professional. Statistics say you don't hit your peak until your early 30s and AK has 10 more years til he is 33. We will see how good he is in 20 years and I'm guess he will have many more wins that Kenny Perry. I would also disagree with saying he only hits a fade. I watched him a small draw for virtually the entire 9 holes I watched him play unless a fade was needed. Can't argue records for someone 23 vs. someone who is 47

what he said

 

we are talking about experience, vs. potential. I think AK has much more potential, KP is pretty one demensional, never done well in majors, except for the playoff during the '96 PGA when he set in the TV booth instead of practicing. Right now I think KP is better, but 20 years from now I will predict that AK will be on the level Phil or Vijay, with over 25 victories and 3-5 majors. JMO.

[Golf_Beauty]

Guys he is in his 3rd season as a professional. Statistics say you don't hit your peak until your early 30s and AK has 10 more years til he is 33. We will see how good he is in 20 years and I'm guess he will have many more wins that Kenny Perry. I would also disagree with saying he only hits a fade. I watched him a small draw for virtually the entire 9 holes I watched him play unless a fade was needed. Can't argue records for someone 23 vs. someone who is 47

what he said

 

we are talking about experience, vs. potential. I think AK has much more potential, KP is pretty one demensional, never done well in majors, except for the playoff during the '96 PGA when he set in the TV booth instead of practicing. Right now I think KP is better, but 20 years from now I will predict that AK will be on the level Phil or Vijay, with over 25 victories and 3-5 majors. JMO.

 

What he said he said. :D