Anthony Kim, who final performed in knowledgeable golf event practically a dozen years in the past, will apparently return to competitors at this week’s LIV Golf League occasion in Saudi Arabia.
Kim, 38, is predicted to play within the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah event, scheduled to begin Friday at Royal Greens Golf & Nation Membership in King Abdullah Financial Metropolis. Kim is predicted to play as a wild card, which means he’ll compete within the particular person competitors, however his scores will not depend within the crew occasion.
LIV Golf League CEO and commissioner Greg Norman teased Kim’s comeback in a publish to X on Monday, during which he shared a video from LIV Golf’s account that appeared to characteristic Kim strolling down a fairway.
He oozes unimaginable expertise. The world has seen it up to now and now it’s an honour as Commissioner of LIV Golf to give the chance for this star to be reborn. Welcome again and to the LIV Golf household mate. The golf world has missed you. pic.twitter.com/HNzsXPgFUp
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) February 26, 2024
A LIV Golf League spokesperson declined to touch upon Kim’s standing with the league when reached by ESPN.
Kim additionally had discussions about returning to the PGA Tour in current months.
LIV Golf is not accomplished courting PGA Tour gamers as effectively. In an interview with Australian Golf Digest, Norman confirmed that his league had been focusing on Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion. Matsuyama received the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Nation Membership exterior Los Angeles earlier this month to interrupt the file for essentially the most PGA Tour victories by an Asian-born participant.
“We have been attempting to get Hideki Matsuyama,” Norman mentioned. “I do not thoughts admitting that. When Hideki received in L.A., what’s the very first thing I did? I mentioned, ‘Congratulations, Hideki. I am pleased with you, mate.'”
Kim made his final begin on the PGA Tour when he withdrew after the primary spherical of the Wells Fargo Championship in Might 2012. He underwent surgical procedure to restore an Achilles tendon damage in his left leg the subsequent month and hasn’t performed professionally once more.
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A sticking level in his comeback is that he collected a minimum of a part of a incapacity insurance coverage coverage that was reportedly value $10 million to $20 million. He would most likely be required to pay again a big portion, if not all, of the settlement he has collected.
Golf.com reported final month that the LIV Golf League wasn’t initially involved in signing Kim to a contract, however that Norman known as him to start negotiations on a possible one-year deal.
Although Kim hasn’t performed in additional than a decade, the reclusive golfer has nonetheless been the topic of nice curiosity by golf followers. The previous Oklahoma star turned professional in 2006 and tied for second whereas taking part in on a sponsor’s exemption on the Valero Texas Open in his first begin.
Kim’s breakthrough got here through the 2008 season, when he captured his first PGA Tour victory on the Wachovia Championship at Quail Hole Membership in Charlotte, North Carolina. He received once more on the AT&T Nationwide at Congressional Nation Membership in Bethesda, Maryland, about two months later.
Kim was ranked as excessive as sixth on this planet on the top of his profession.
Kim is probably finest identified for his efficiency as a rookie within the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Membership in Louisville, Kentucky. He walloped Spain’s Sergio Garcia 5 and 4 within the opening match of Sunday singles, serving to lead the U.S. to a 16½-11½ victory that ended Europe’s streak of three straight victories within the worldwide occasion.
Kim made 122 begins on the PGA Tour, making about $12.2 million in on-course earnings. His final victory got here when he defeated Vaughn Taylor in a playoff on the 2010 Shell Open. Per week later, he carded a 7-under 65 within the closing spherical of the Masters and completed third, 4 strokes behind winner Phil Mickelson.
Together with the Achilles tendon damage, Kim was tormented by tendinitis in his left arm and a left thumb damage throughout his profession.
