Anthony Kim expected to play LIV event after 11 years away،
Anthony Kim, who last competed in a professional golf tournament nearly a dozen years ago, will apparently return to competition at this week's LIV Golf League event in Saudi Arabia.
Kim, 38, is expected to take part in the LIV Golf Invitational in Jeddah, which is scheduled to begin on Friday at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in the King Abdullah Economic City. Kim is expected to play as a wild card, meaning he will compete in the individual competition, but his scores will not count in the team event.
LIV Golf League CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman teased Kim's return in a post on X on Monday, in which he shared a video from the LIV Golf account that appeared to show Kim walking down a fairway.
He exudes incredible talent. The world has seen him in the past and now it is an honor, as Commissioner of LIV Golf, to give this star the opportunity to be reborn. Welcome back and to the companion of the LIV Golf family. The golf world has missed you. pic.twitter.com/HNzsXPgFUp
– Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) February 26, 2024
A spokesperson for the LIV Golf League declined to comment on Kim's status with the league when contacted by ESPN.
Kim has also had discussions about returning to the PGA Tour in recent months.
LIV Golf isn’t done courting PGA Tour players either. In an interview with Australian Golf Digest, Norman confirmed his league is targeting 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama of Japan. Matsuyama won the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club outside Los Angeles earlier this month to beat the record for most PGA Tour wins by a player of Asian descent.
“We tried to get Hideki Matsuyama,” Norman said. “I don't mind admitting it. When Hideki won in Los Angeles, what was the first thing I did? I said, 'Congratulations, Hideki. I'm proud of you, buddy.' “
Kim made his final start on the PGA Tour when he withdrew after the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship in May 2012. He underwent surgery to repair an Achilles tendon injury in his left leg the following month and did not play professionally again.
One sticking point in his return is that he recouped at least part of a disability insurance policy that was worth between $10 million and $20 million. He would likely be required to repay much, if not all, of the settlement he received.
Golf.com reported last month that the LIV Golf League was not initially interested in signing Kim to a contract, but that Norman had called him to begin negotiations on a possible one-year contract.
Even though Kim hasn't played in over a decade, the reclusive golfer continues to attract great interest from golf fans. The former Oklahoma star turned professional in 2006 and tied for second while playing on a sponsor's exemption at the Valero Texas Open in her first start.
Kim's breakthrough came during the 2008 season, when he earned his first PGA Tour victory at the Wachovia Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. He won again at the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, about two months later.
Kim was ranked sixth in the world at the peak of his career.
Kim is perhaps best known for his performance as a rookie in the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. He beat Spaniard Sergio Garcia 5 and 4 in Sunday's opening singles match, helping the United States to a 16½-11½ victory that ended Europe's three-game winning streak in the international event.
Kim has made 122 starts on the PGA Tour, earning approximately $12.2 million in winnings on the course. His last victory came when he beat Vaughn Taylor in a playoff at the 2010 Shell Open. A week later, he shot a 7-under 65 in the final round of the Masters and finished third, 4 shots behind winner Phil Mickelson.
In addition to the Achilles tendon injury, Kim suffered from tendonitis in his left arm and an injured left thumb during his career.
