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Randall Mell

24Anthony Kim splits with caddie

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profileIconRANDALL MELL, Senior Writer, GolfChannel.com   Posted 10/14/2009, 6:54 PM EST

Anthony Kim is letting go of the caddie who helped him to his only PGA Tour victories.

Eric Larson, who toted Kim’s bag in both of his breakthrough victories last year, caddied for Kim most of the last two seasons. Larson was told he wouldn't be needed the rest of the fall and is uncertain whether Kim will retain him for next season.

Kim will play the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open in Las Vegas with former University of Oklahoma teammate Brodie Flanders as his new caddie.

Kim’s decision had nothing to do with what unfolded at the Presidents Cup, where Kim found himself at the center of controversy in the aftermath of the international team event. Kim told Larson at the Tour Championship that he was going to make a change. Allenby apologized Wednesday for comments accusing Kim of returning to his hotel “sideways” after a night out on the town before their Sunday singles match.

Larson said Kim told him he just felt like he needed a change but that Larson deserved to be on his bag Presidents Cup week.

"Obviously, I was disappointed," Larson said. "I would love to continue caddying for Anthony."

Larson will caddie for his long-time friend and former boss, Mark Calcavecchia, at the Frys.com Open next week, but he’s uncertain about his future. Kim left the door open to a possible reunion.

“Brodie will caddie for the balance of this season while Anthony evaluates the future of the caddie position,” said Chris Armstrong, Kim’s agent.

 

14
Oct

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  1. newwest

    newwest Said on 11/12/2009, at 12:08 AM EST

    “Congrats Flanthony. In the span of 3 weeks, you have a runner up finish, a tenth place and now a win. Well done you two.”

  2. newwest

    newwest Said on 11/06/2009, at 3:21 PM EST

    “Go Flanthony Go!”

  3. newwest

    newwest Said on 10/24/2009, at 3:52 PM EST

    “Brodie is a phenomenal guy and a talented golfer himself. He knows the game/golf swing inside out. AK and Brodie will be a dynamite duo, a force to be reckoned with. I wish them all the best...I for one will be glued to the golf channel”

  4. ihk888

    ihk888 Said on 10/18/2009, at 1:29 PM EST

    “you have to blame somebody when you are not winning with his talent. lack of discipline and reckless behavior with too much of fun are major source of failure yet it is always someone else fault, in this case his caddy. I hope AK realize this before it is too late. It is not easy with money he is making!!!”

  5. wes33

    wes33 Said on 10/18/2009, at 9:51 AM EST

    “Hell if AK wants to change things up a bit: what about a caddie from texas? i am here”

  6. Golftrekker

    Golftrekker Said on 10/17/2009, at 2:48 PM EST

    “Told Ya! Larson got the "Fluff" syndrome and Kim caught him at it.”

  7. ping-golf-nut

    ping-golf-nut Said on 10/17/2009, at 8:03 AM EST

    “Hopefully Brodie Flanders can help get AK get back near the level of golf we saw in 2008. Brodie competed with AK at OU and is a wonderful player/person. 6 months a year?..ha...Brodie moved so he could play year-round”

  8. Alfonso

    Alfonso Said on 10/16/2009, at 7:49 PM EST

    “It's a shame when the media builds up the young guns to fame so much and eventually when they (the young ones) don't win as many tournaments they just fade away. As people we all face peaks and valleys and that's life. Pro golfers are humans like we are and they face the incentives and boredom daily. Whatever happened to Dave Gossett??? Look at Adam Scott, Charles Howell III, they seem to be fading away but hopefully they rebound and start making the headlines or the talk of the town like Tiger, Padraig and other pros who are doing well. Avid golfer and fan---Al”

  9. stub

    stub Said on 10/16/2009, at 4:18 PM EST

    “ Hey guys..I wonder who Mell consulted on this article..Schlomos..Nah, that wasn't kim, it was the caddy..and way to diss AK.fyrytr..Brodie may play well, but does he know AKs' game..this is what makes a caddy worth his salt..3irns..right on with Nike and the GC..and ya, Pinehurst has no need of the GC..we're talking ELITE here..I's rather play 8 than 2..Seems damage control started a couple of days ago..Macer..right about the respect..also gave him (larson) time to find another bag..These guys can't be out of a loop for too long, don't have that big a bankroll behind them..Swing..with few exceptions, most of these guys need some degree of attitude adjustment..and jfc..you all listen to 3irns now, hear?...STUB ”

  10. joeperez

    joeperez Said on 10/16/2009, at 3:48 PM EST

    “" If Pine Valley is #1 wouldn't it seem logical to have at least one hole ?” jfc, you should realise by now that as far as TV (and especially TGC) is concerned, if there is no film/video for it, it's as if it doesn't exist, or never happened, at least until Computer Graphics for it can be done cheaply. The Top 10 greatest shots of all time didn't feature Hogan's shot to 18 at Merion. It wasn't filmed at the time.”

  11. 18pars

    18pars Said on 10/16/2009, at 2:16 PM EST

    “AS if this is a big surprize. Too much money for not enough effort, guys don't appreciate that. When AK says his idol is Koby, where is golf headed, we can only hope that infiltration into golf from the NBA or any other team sport is is not the next marketing scheme. ”

  12. gmann2006

    gmann2006 Said on 10/16/2009, at 1:56 PM EST

    “Why is this news? ”

  13. senorbogey

    senorbogey Said on 10/16/2009, at 1:43 PM EST

    “I pine for the day I'll be able to afford to play either one! ”

  14. TTech

    TTech Said on 10/16/2009, at 8:48 AM EST

    “Did somebody move Pine Valley to Pinehurst?”

  15. macer

    macer Said on 10/16/2009, at 5:19 AM EST

    “Swingman, I believe Brandel Chamblee, who reported on Golf Central that A.K. was in his room at midnight last Saturday evening. Chamblee talked with several players on the U.S. President's Cup team who verified Kim's account of what occurred. jfc, the Top Ten is nothing but poor quality filler time for The Golf Channel. The Top Ten is unworthy of watching for some golf followers. Schlomos, pretty bold predictions coming from your crystal ball! fyrfytr, thank you for the insights on Kim's temporary caddy. Macer”

  16. Schlomos

    Schlomos Said on 10/15/2009, at 6:56 PM EST

    “I bet his caddy was theone that told guys AK was out until 4 am. that was the final straw.”

  17. Schlomos

    Schlomos Said on 10/15/2009, at 6:55 PM EST

    “Ak will become another John Daly. Guaranteed. Funny how AK always makes fun of himself for partying too much and not practicing enough, but then someone else says it and he almost looks like he is going to cry. He should cry becasue he will soon lose all his sponsors and end up with 84 Lumber. That was the only reason he got upset, he was afraid of losing sponsors. Allenby should not have siad what he said, but it is the truth. Nothing worse than watching a professional athlete make excuses like I don't practice enough, I party too much when not playing well. Who cares about AK. The guy dresses like a pimp for god's sake, and he just isn't cool. ”

  18. fyrfytr

    fyrfytr Said on 10/15/2009, at 3:18 PM EST

    “ I just wanted to leave a little FYI on Anthony's new caddy for the rest of the golfing world. Like it says, Brodie Flanders is a former University of Oklahoma teammate of AK. Brodie is from a very small Province in Canada (NewBrunswick) where the golf season is 6 months long at best. Brodie was and is a very good golfer and was one of the top Amateurs in the Province and Country. Brodie will make a very good addition to the AK team and is very knowledgeable about the game of golf.”

  19. 3irons

    3irons Said on 10/15/2009, at 1:23 PM EST

    “jfc,....it may seem strange,but you have to understand how TGC does these things. Let's make it simple,....you've heard the term "Pay-o-la" ? Now you know. How many times do we see Woods in these Top 10 segments. Nike pays HUGE $$$ to TGC. Don't ever expect to see an unbiased representation on these 30 minute "infomercials". Pinehurst doesn't pay/need TGC to promote their resort.So we don't see them mentioned.It's simply marketing. Obviously Pinehurst is a step or two above PB and St.A.........Z.”

  20. jfc

    jfc Said on 10/15/2009, at 1:01 PM EST

    “I realize this is off point but curious about GC viewer reaction. Last nigh GC ran a Top 10 holes to play before you die - 3 were on Pebble and 2 on St. Andrews - 1/2 on 2 courses world wide ? If Pine Valley is #1 wouldn't it seem logical to have at least one hole ?”

  21. trustme

    trustme Said on 10/15/2009, at 11:37 AM EST

    “Are we seeing the start of another Daly? I hope not. Trustme.”

  22. Swing Man

    Swing Man Said on 10/15/2009, at 11:20 AM EST

    “It's time for an attitude adjustment for this guy. If I was his caddie I would be telling him to straighten out or I'm gone. Good caddies are hard to find I know I was a caddie for a pretty good pro but the only thing he was good at was the tavern tour I told him if this keeps up he can find some else well he fond some one else and he quit him after on event. I believe what Allenby said about Kim. If AK doesn't wake up it's going to be too late.”

  23. macer

    macer Said on 10/15/2009, at 5:14 AM EST

    “A.K. demonstrated great respect for caddy Eric Larson by informing Larson after the Tour Championship that a change was forthcoming following the President's Cup and that he (Larson) earned the right to caddy at the President's Cup competition. Players make caddy changes often, with the exception of Tiger, Phil, Furyk and a few others. I believe Kim will try the new caddy for the remainder of his golf season and then make a decision on his caddy for next year. Macer ”

  24. 3irons

    3irons Said on 10/14/2009, at 8:39 PM EST

    “Ohhh ho ho ho. Sure ,this has nothing to do with the Prez Cup. Connect the dots here. 1+1+1=3. Too much of a coincidence, and a waaaay too much smoke. Nike will be in full damage control,lol...........................Z.”