Once a rising star in the world of golf, Anthony Kim disappeared from the sport for nearly 12 years during what should have been the peak of his career. With three PGA Tour victories under his belt before the age of 25 and a standout performance at the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla, Kim was earmarked for greatness. Yet, after 2012, he vanished from the PGA Tour landscape, leaving fans mystified and curious about his whereabouts and future.
While Kim’s absence sparked an array of rumors, the majority fizzled out into thin air – until the emergence of LIV Golf. The league, notorious for its hefty player contracts, announced in 2024 that Kim would be joining its ranks as a wildcard. This surprising turn of events left the golfing world buzzing, including Kim himself, who was taken aback by some of the rumors surrounding his comeback.
In a conversation with Rick Shiels, Kim, once the world’s sixth-ranked golfer, shed light on how an unexpected rumor unexpectedly catalyzed his return to the sport. He confessed, “I had heard there was some interest in me coming back to golf. But then they had heard how far removed I was from the game, and I figured there’s zero chance.” He further admitted that he had no desire to return to golf, with his last memories of the sport marred by injury, struggle, addiction, depression, and mental illness.
However, Kim’s perspective shifted when he began to sober up and realized both the PGA and LIV tours were interested in his return. The real catalyst, however, was a tweet from a stranger claiming that LIV Golf had signed Kim for a staggering sum of money – news to Kim, who wasn’t even on Twitter at the time. This rumor was so pervasive that it caught the attention of the PGA Tour, leading to a phone call asking Kim if he had indeed signed with LIV Golf.
Despite returning to golf under the LIV Golf banner, Kim’s performance revealed the toll his hiatus had taken. His 2024 season saw no scoring victories, with his highest achievement being a 36th place finish at the Greenbrier towards the end of the season. However, he did manage to stay within the top 50 in his last six events, a feat impressive considering his lengthy absence and personal struggles.
As the novelty of Kim’s return wears thin, his future with LIV Golf hangs in the balance. If he doesn’t start accumulating points, the league may have to reconsider his role. Nonetheless, Kim’s journey – from career highs to personal struggles, rumors, and a surprising comeback – remains an intriguing tale in the world of professional golf.
