Maturity, not personality, will maintain Kim's popularity

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Two years ago, Tony Piazzi -- CEO of Golf San Antonio -- got a phone call concerning a young player who was looking to make his professional debut. The management team that represented this young man was hoping Tony and the powers that be at the Valero Texas Open would give young Anthony Kim a sponsor's exemption into the event.

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With a spark of interest, Tony contacted Anthony and was blown away by the poise and confidence that he heard in the young man's voice. "He was very comfortable with who he was and what he wanted to do," Piazzi said. "He was mature beyond his years."

Piazzi and the folks in San Antonio would discover what the rest of us have come to know this year. Anthony Kim can flat play. He used the momentum of his tie for second that week to cruise through q-school and become part of the conversation for Rookie of the Year in 2007. A year later, he is a multiple winner and a Ryder Cup hero on the PGA TOUR.

That said, Anthony won't be in San Antonio this week. It would be easy to be critical. After all, it was this event that gave him his first start. And it was here that he discovered what he thought he already knew -- that his game stacked up with the game's best.

With the success that Anthony has enjoyed come opportunities to play all over the world and get paid handsomely for it. Tony and the folks in San Antonio know this. While Anthony was struggling with his loyalty to this event and the chance to play overseas, he had a conversation with Tony at the BMW Championship. Tony put Anthony's mind at ease. He told the young star that he needed to take advantage of the opportunities he had. Tony talks about Anthony with a feeling of pride.

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Anthony Kim will not play in the Valero Texas Open this year, but it wasn't an easy decision for him to make.

Many young players have used sponsor's exemptions given to them early in their careers without ever showing loyalty to the events that granted them. Anthony is not that type of kid. As Tony is quick to point out, Anthony came back last year and played in the Valero Texas Open long after he had secured his playing privileges for 2008. Obviously, they would love to have Anthony back this year, but, after a week in Korea and another Asian stop slated, it was logistically impossible.

Anthony finished tied for third in Korea on Sunday. His international star is rising as quickly as his profile here in the states. Anthony, whose parents are Korean immigrants, seems to be one of the young ones who understand his place in the game. The game is expanding all over the world. Tiger started the push a decade ago. While we are looking for young players like Anthony to challenge Tiger upon his return, we can also be thrilled that they are holding up this end of the bargain, too.

Tiger caught a reasonable amount of criticism for not returning to the Quad Cities or Milwaukee after his debut in 1996. "Hello world," didn't necessarily mean "be back next year." Of course, with all that he has accomplished in the game and all that he gives away dredging this up is a bit nit-picky. But I do it to serve a point about another young star. Anthony Kim seems to have a sense of responsibility to his place in the game at an extremely young age. His brashness and his personality would have been enough to ensure popularity. His maturity is what will sustain it.

Anthony will be missed in San Antonio this week. But it is a very safe bet that he will be back another year -- and many years to come -- eager to go the extra mile.

John Maginnes is a freelance columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His views do not necessarily reflect the views of the PGA TOUR.