01 February 2024 , 23:02
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Anthony Kim will make his long-awaited return to competitive golf later this year, with the former PGA Tour star set to tee it up on the LIV Golf circuit.
Kim has not featured competitively since withdrawing from the Wells Fargo Championship back in 2012. Since then, the American star has been in golfing exile, after falling off the radar following a string of injury issues.
In recent weeks speculation has grown that the former Ryder Cup star could well be set to make his comeback 12 years later, with Kim drawing interest from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
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And it appears the 38-year-old from Los Angeles has opted with the latter, despite his previous connections to the Tour. According to Barstool Sports, Kim's comeback is set to come on the breakaway league in March, when the circuit heads to Jeddah.
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LIV Golf have altered their tournament format for 2024 following the signing of Jon Rahm. Previously the Saudi-backed series operated with 48 players split across 12 teams, however the acquisition of Rahm has seen the Spaniard take control of his own franchise, taking the team list to 13.
This of course adds another four players to the roster, and to round its fields up to 54, LIV will welcome two wildcard players at each event. The opening event at Mayakoba this week will see former LIV stars Hudson Swafford and Laurie Canter return.
Anthony Kim has not featured since 2012Swafford has been given a full wildcard spot for the 2024 campaign as he makes a return from a long spell out with injury. And when the Saudi-backed league heads to Jeddah it is expected that Kim will step in as wildcard No. 2 alongside Swafford.
Per Golf.com, Kim had been contemplating either returning to the PGA Tour or opting for a new venture with LIV. One big issue halting his comeback surrounded an insurance policy worth upwards of £8 million ($10m) due to his injury record, which would be voided if he was to make a return to golf.
According to the report, LIV bosses were offering to cover the insurance policy in a bid to see Kim make his comeback on the Saudi-funded setup. A reduced wildcard spot with the breakaway league may well suit the American star amid his recent struggles for fitness.
As things stand it remains to be seen whether Kim will take up the additional spot at any other point during the season. LIV hold 14 events throughout the season, with Greg Norman and co heading to Mexico and Las Vegas before Kim's reported debut in the Middle East.