Anthony Kim gets better of Phil Mickelson as LIV star shakes off 12-year rust
Anthony Kim shook off some rust in Hong Kong this week, and even ended his second LIV Golf event six shots ahead of his former Ryder Cup teammate Phil Mickelson.
After 12 years away from professional golf, former PGA Tour star Kim made a shock return earlier this month after signing on the dotted line with the LIV setup. His first start proved a tough one in Jeddah, after the three-time PGA Tour winner finished dead-last at 16-over-par on debut.
He returned for event number two of his comeback at Hong Kong Golf Club this week, and it appeared to be more of the same for Kim, who carded a six-over 76 and a two-over 72 on Friday and Saturday.
READ MORE: Anthony Kim set for first event away from LIV Golf after 12-year exile from PGA Tour
Sunday however showed glimmers of Kim's former self, as the American rolled back the years with a superb five-under 65 in his final round, to finish the week at three-over in 50th, an improvement on the rusty showing in Saudi Arabia. His late flurry saw him get the better of arguably LIV's biggest name in Mickelson.
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Just days after claiming his best finish on the breakaway circuit to date in Jeddah, Mickelson endured a week to forget in Hong Kong. He kicked off with a horror 10-over-par 80 in Friday's opening round before limiting the damage day two and three. Rounds of 68 and 70 over the weekend saw him climb off bottom spot, finishing in a tie for 52nd at eight-over.
For Kim, Sunday's showing will give the 38-year-old some much-needed confidence heading into the rest of the campaign. “Definitely feeling a lot better about my golf game," he said on Sunday. Golf isn’t as important as living in the right way and I am focused on my family and doing the right things. The golf will come, it is just a matter of time.”
Anthony Kim impressed on Sunday in Hong Kong (Francois Nel/Getty Images)The fact that Kim is back out competing against some of the world best is a surprise to many, not least himself, having spent so long away from the professional game over the past decade. And having been given the chance by Greg Norman to tee it up on the breakaway circuit, Kim is clearly grateful.
" “I’m enjoying my time with my family, the LIV Golf experience has been amazing and I’m just thankful," he commented. "I’m very proud. Coming from where I came from over the last 10, 12 years I am just grateful for this opportunity. Every step I walk I feel blessed and no matter what I shoot I feel like I have won.
"I never thought those words would come out of my mouth but I am trying to play this game with a lot of gratitude and live my life the same way.”
Opening up on the prep behind trying to get back to his best, he added: "I kept doing what I have been working on the last two months, obviously being away from the game for so long. It has been tough to practise and get all the things I need to be prepared for a tournament but I’m working on the right things at the moment."
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