26 January 2024 , 12:32
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Golf's forgotten man Anthony Kim is set to become the latest chapter in the sport's ongoing saga between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, as he lines up a dramatic return.
Kim announced himself as one of the world's best players in the late 2000s, landing three PGA Tour titles in less than two years before coming within four shots of winning the 2010 Masters. A whole host of injury issues followed though, and his career appeared to have came to an abrupt end in 2012.
His last outing came at the Wells Fargo Championship that very year, where he was forced to withdraw from a third event on the bounce as he continued to endure a battle for fitness.
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In the 12 years that have followed Kim has gone into golfing exile, having not featured competitively since. After over a decade away though, it appears the former Ryder Cup star is gearing up for a comeback at the centre of one of golf's most turbulent periods.
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Per Golf.com Kim is said to be contemplating making a return to the PGA Tour, or joining Jon Rahm and co at LIV Golf. According to the report, the breakaway league's interest in Kim had initially been low, but input from 2022 individual champion Dustin Johnson on Kim's worth appears to have changed things.
Anthony Kim has not played competitively since 2012Kim is said have had held a personal conversation over the phone with LIV CEO Greg Norman, about making the Saudi switch. Rumours have suggested that the American could become a part of Rahm's soon-to-be-announced four-man team, with the Masters champion still yet to confirm his roster for 2024.
He could also take the team-less route with LIV Golf too, who are set to introduce a 54-man field for their upcoming season, which will see two wildcard players tee it up at each event. Kim is also said to be in conversation with the PGA Tour, however their appears to be one large hurdle in the way.
Amid his torrid injury record, Kim has an insurance policy worth upwards of £8 million ($10m), and a return to action would reportedly void this. It is suggested that LIV have in fact offered to hand Kim a signing fee of the same figure to cover the policy in a bid to secure his signature.
For a man who has not played competitively in 12 years, LIV may well suit Kim better, especially with an £8 million offer on the table. Kim would compete in the league's lighter 14-event schedule in 54 hole, no-cut tournaments rather than four-round cut events over on the PGA Tour.
If the Tour however was his preferred route there would also be options too. Kim would be able to exercise his past-champion exemption to compete in some tournaments, and elsewhere would not doubt be a pull as a sponsor exemption amid the popularity and intrigue surrounding the 38-year-old.