Anthony Kim shocked professional golf when returning to join LIV Golf earlier this year, after spending 12 years away from the public following a number of injury problems
Anthony Kim has opened up on the reasoning behind his decision to sign with LIV Golf, after the former PGA Tour star made a shock return after 12 years away from the game.
In the late 2000s, Kim announced himself as one of professional golf’s hottest prospects, becoming a winner on the PGA Tour and breaking into the United States Ryder Cup team. Following a string of injury problems in 2012 though, the American went into golfing exile, and out of the public eye.
His last competitive start prior to his comeback earlier this year came at the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship, where he was forced to withdraw. This was Kim’s third withdrawal on the bounce, and appeared to signal the end of his playing days.
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Over a decade on though the 38-year-old left the sport in shock, after it was announced he had teamed up with Greg Norman and co to become one of LIV’s two wildcards for the 2024 season. His first start came in Jeddah in March, and he has competed on the breakaway league since.
Ahead of LIV’s UK event at JCB Country and Golf Club this week, Kim has opened up on his decision to chose the Saudi-backed league as the destination of his return. “I had three options; it was the PGA Tour, play here [LIV] or not play golf at all and all three had an equal shot,” he told LIV’s Fairway to Heaven podcast.
“After a few conversations with LIV and the PGA Tour, I was leaning towards not playing again, but my wife was like ‘who is ever going to get this opportunity again’. I had financial benefits from both sides, that’s no secret. I had different sponsorship opportunities whether I played the PGA or LIV and I still have different opportunities.
“I’ve turned down more opportunities than I’ve accepted, sponsorship wise, because I didn’t agree that they fit where I’m trying to go with my life. Was there offers to be sponsored and have logos on me and male life-changing money? Yes, but I haven’t accepted those because if I endorse something, I want the people who follow me to say, ‘Anthony really believes in this’.”
Unsurprisingly there has been a slight bit of rust to Kim’s game amid his lengthy spell away from competing. Kim is currently ranked bottom of LIV’s season-long standings, having failed to pick up a point in the seven events he has entered since signing with the league this year.
With 54 players in the field at each event, Kim has broken the top 50 on three occasions, all coming in his last three events. His best finish so far this season came in Nashville where he finished in a tie for 46th. Either side of that he finished tied-48th in Houston last month and tied-48th at Real Club Valderrama in his last outing two weeks ago.