10 March 2024 , 02:00
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Anthony Kim is set to compete in his first tournament away from LIV Golf since making his return after entering next week's Asian Tour International Series event in Macau.
Kim announced himself as one of golf's hottest stars in the late 2000's before a whole host of injuries in 2012 appeared to cut his career short. After 12 years away, the 38-year-old opted to make a shock return this month, signing on the dotted line with LIV.
Now with two starts under his belt on the breakaway circuit, Kim is set to turn his attention elsewhere after joining a whole host of other LIV stars in committing to next week's Asian Tour event.
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The breakaway league's alliance with the Asian-based circuit has seen a number of LIV's biggest names venture over to the International Series where their schedules fit, with Kim being the latest. He will join the likes of Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed and Ian Poulter in Macau, with 22 LIV players entering the event in total.
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The season-long leader of the Asian Tour's International Series earns promotion to the LIV setup the following year, with Andy Ogletree 2023's beneficiary. Lauding the relationship between the two tours, former Masters champion Reed said: "Watching the game grow, with LIV Golf getting behind The International Series and the Asian Tour, is amazing to see.
"To be able to come out here and watch those guys now have a pathway to LIV is exciting. If they get that opportunity, a shot at making it to the next level, they’re going to be able to grow and hopefully make it to where we are (the LIV Golf League), while at the same time making it to the majors and the big events around the world."
Kim returned to golf after 12 years away last monthWith the novelty surrounding Kim's remarkable return now starting to ware off, the 38-year-old can begin to concentrate on finding some form, after a tough start on LIV debut in Jeddah last week. The ex-PGA Tour star finished dead-last in Saudi Arabia, shooting 16-over-par over his 54 holes.
It was no doubt a frustrating week for Kim having not competed on the professional stage in over a decade, but he was keen to focus on the positives when looking ahead of the rest of the campaign. "Obviously it was a rough week," he said last week. "I'm excited to be playing professional golf again, I feel very blessed to have this opportunity.
"I've got a lot to work on but I had a lot of good things go my way this week, so I'm looking forward to working on that and being in contention, for sure. I definitely hit the ball well. I'm doing a lot of things well, I know the scores don't reflect that and it's disappointing to score that way.
"But at the same time I know I have a lot to build on and I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing. I'm very encouraged. I'm excited about what's coming. My game is starting to shape up. I'm doing things that I used to do before. I'm just looking forward to a great year."