La Quinta, California, - Korean-American golfer Anthony Kim withdrew from the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic due to a sore left shoulder, effectively leaving the championship without a player belonging to the top 15. Kim won twice in the previous year and led the US team to victory at the Ryder Cup for the first time in nine years. The 23-year old spent his last high school years in Palm Springs at the La Quinta High School and considers the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic a hometown event.
Kim, who is currently the world number eight initially noticed the discomfort on his shoulder on Monday. Although nothing serious is being expected, Kim expressed the need for caution especially since the season has just begun.
“I’m very disappointed…especially considering it’s played in Palm Springs, where I lived, and I had so many friends and family coming to watch,” Kim said in a statement on Tuesday.
Kim opened his season by tying for second at the Mercedez-Benz championship.
“We don’t consider my shoulder to be anything too serious, and I don’t expect to miss extended time, but it is important to be cautious with it at this early stage in the season,” Kim said in a statement.
Kim will be replaced by world number 16 American golfer Steve Stricker who will now be the highest-ranked player in the tournament with Kim’s absence.