Anthony Kim confirms return to golf with LIV

The worst-kept secret in golf is finally out: Anthony Kim is back.

The three-time PGA Tour winner, who hasn’t played a competitive round of golf since 2012, will make his return to the game at this week’s LIV Golf event in Jeddah.

The 38-year-old will play as one of the two tournament wild cards in Saudi Arabia – 11 years, 9 months and 27 days since he made his last appearance on the PGA Tour.

“After stepping away from the game years ago due to injury, I’m happy to officially announce my return to the world of professional golf,” said Kim. “It’s been a long time coming, and I’m very grateful for all the highs, lows and lessons learned from the first part of my career.

• How to watch Anthony Kim’s comeback this week

• Anthony Kim: Full timeline of golf’s biggest enimga

• McEwan: Anthony Kim was never a golf great – so what gives?

“I want to compete with the best players in the world, and I’m on a mission to prove to myself that I can win again. The next step on that journey starts now, and I’m excited to give everything I’ve got this season on the LIV Golf League.”

LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman added: “LIV Golf was launched to create new opportunities for players and fans that drive this sport forward in exciting ways, and when I think of Anthony Kim, I can’t imagine a more perfect fit for what we’re trying to do.

“His talent is undeniable, and we are thrilled to welcome him back to professional golf with our league.

“It’s clear that he has the fire to win again and show why he was one of the most compelling players in the world, and we will support him on that mission as he works to earn his way back to the top of the game.”

• WITB: What clubs did Anthony Kim use – and what’s next?

• The Kim-back! 5 big questions in need of answers

Kim will compete in all remaining 2024 LIV Golf regular season tournaments as one of two wild card players aiming to accrue points in the league’s individual standings and earn a team place in 2025. Kim joins season-long wild card player Hudson Swafford, competing against the LIV Golf League’s 13 four-player teams across the 14-event global schedule.
 
The three-time PGA TOUR winner posted his best full season in 2008 when he finished sixth on the money list and fourth in the FedEx Cup standings. That season led to a career-high eight top-10 finishes, including six top-three finishes.

The American spent 20 weeks inside the top 10, with a career-high of No.6 in 2008 after winning the Wachovia Championship and AT&T National. In 15 career major starts, his best finish is a third place at the 2010 Masters, where he finished behind current LIV Golf members Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood.

Kim notched two other top-10 major finishes both coming at The Open, once in 2008 and again in 2011. He also set a tournament record with 11 birdies during round two at the 2009 Masters.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor