Anthony Kim, who final performed in an expert golf match almost a dozen years in the past, will return to competitors at this week’s LIV Golf League occasion in Saudi Arabia.
LIV Golf introduced Wednesday that Kim, 38, would be part of the sequence as a season-long wild-card participant, beginning with the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah match that begins Friday at Royal Greens Golf & Nation Membership in King Abdullah Financial Metropolis. As a wild card, Kim will play within the particular person competitors, however his scores will not depend within the workforce occasion.
“After stepping away from the sport years in the past because of harm, I am comfortable to formally announce my return to the world {of professional} golf,” Kim stated in a press release. “It has been a very long time coming, and I am very grateful for all of the highs, lows and classes realized from the primary a part of my profession. I wish to compete with the very best gamers on the planet, and I am on a mission to show to myself that I can win once more. The following step on that journey begins now, and I am excited to present all the pieces I’ve obtained this season on the LIV Golf League.”
LIV Golf League CEO and commissioner Greg Norman had teased Kim’s comeback in a put up 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 unbelievable expertise. The world has seen it previously and now it’s an honour as Commissioner of LIV Golf to make it possible 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
Kim additionally had discussions about returning to the PGA Tour in latest months.
“LIV Golf was launched to create new alternatives for gamers and followers that drive this sport ahead in thrilling methods, and after I consider Anthony Kim, I can not think about a extra excellent match for what we’re attempting to do,” Norman stated in a press release. “His expertise is simple, and we’re thrilled to welcome him again to skilled golf with our league.”
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 outdoors Los Angeles earlier this month to interrupt the report for essentially the most PGA Tour victories by an Asian-born participant.
“We have been attempting to get Hideki Matsuyama,” Norman stated. “I do not thoughts admitting that. When Hideki received in L.A., what’s the very first thing I did? I stated, ‘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 Could 2012. He underwent surgical procedure to restore an Achilles tendon harm in his left leg the following month and hasn’t performed professionally since.
A sticking level in his comeback is that he collected not less than a part of a incapacity insurance coverage coverage that was reportedly value $10-20 million. He would in all probability be required to pay again a big portion, if not all, of the settlement he has collected.
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 the planet on the peak of his profession.
Kim is probably greatest 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. Every 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 harm, Kim was affected by tendinitis in his left arm and a left thumb harm throughout his profession.
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