Anthony Kim handed latest reality check as LIV star's rusty return continues
Anthony Kim's rocky return to professional golf continued on Friday, after the 38-year-old missed the cut at the Asian Tour's International Series event in Macau.
Kim was making his first start in an Official World Golf Ranking-sanctioned event in 12 years, following his recent hiatus. Things did not go to plan though, as the American carded four-over-par across his two rounds in Macau, to miss the cut by eight shots.
The damage for Kim - who joined LIV Golf last month - was done in Thursday's opening round, after he carded a frustrating four-over-par 74 to leave him with a mountain to climb heading into Friday.
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And despite improving his score on day two by four shots, his level-par 70 was not enough to get himself on the right side of the cut line. Kim's struggles come as no surprise having spent so long away from professional golf, before signing on the dotted line with Greg Norman and co.
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Kim's start to LIV life has been tough, kicking off his career on the breakaway circuit by finishing dead-last at LIV Jeddah at 16-over. The struggles continued in Hong Kong a week later, shooting a six-over 76 and a two-over 72 in his opening two rounds to leave him lingering towards the bottom once again.
He did find some form a day later though, rolling back the years to shoot a superb five-under 65 in last Sunday's final round, to finish at three-over for the event. Speaking after his impressive showing Hong Kong, Kim was understandably pleased, but was keen to keep his feet firmly on the ground.
Anthony Kim returned to professional golf after 12 years (Francois Nel/Getty Images)"It's just one round of golf," he said after his 65. "But I played the right way. I didn't do anything extraordinary. I just played like I know how to play. The scores were what they are... I just kept doing what I've been working on the last two months.
"Obviously being away from the game so long, it's been tough to practice and get all the things that I need to get prepared for the tournament, but I'm working on the right things at this moment."
And his realistic assessment appeared to be a sensible one following his showing in Macau this week. Despite the slow comeback, Kim did reveal in Hong Kong that just being back out on the golf course is an achievement in its self.
"I’m enjoying my time with my family, the LIV Golf experience has been amazing and I’m just thankful," he added. "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."
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