After a lengthy 12-year absence from professional golf, Anthony Kim is set to return to the sport, making his comeback at a LIV Golf event in Saudi Arabia next week. The 38-year-old American has been granted a wildcard entry into the 2024 LIV Golf season, without being allocated to any specific team.
Kim, formerly celebrated as an emerging talent on the PGA Tour, stepped away from golf following a series of injuries from 2010 to 2012, leaving fans and the sport itself pondering his potential.
LIV Golf's commissioner, Greg Norman, expressed enthusiasm about Kim's return, stating, "The golf community has deeply felt your absence."
To make his comeback possible, Kim is rumoured to have forfeited an insurance policy worth $10 million (£7.89 million), a significant gesture that underscores his commitment to reviving his career in golf.
Norman praised Kim's innate skill, noting, "His talent is undeniable. We've witnessed his brilliance in the past, and I'm proud, as LIV Golf's commissioner, to facilitate the comeback of such a gifted player. It's a pleasure to welcome him to the LIV Golf family."
Kim, who has three PGA Tour victories to his name, will be vying for a share of the £15.7 million prize pool in Jeddah on March 1.
His most recent tournament play was at the Wells Fargo Championship in 2012, which ended abruptly when he withdrew in the first round.
In 2008, Kim made history as the first American under 25 since Tiger Woods to secure two PGA Tour wins in a single year. Additionally, as the youngest player on the 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup team, he played a pivotal role in the United States' win over Europe at Valhalla, earning 2.5 points from four matches.
