PGA Tour ‘would welcome Anthony Kim return’

The PGA Tour “would welcome” Anthony Kim back as the American plots a sensational return to the professional game. 

Kim, 38, effectively vanished from golf 12 years and his recluse has long been one of the sport’s greatest enigmas.

However, according to a bombshell report by Golf.com’s Dylan Dethier, Kim has been in discussions with both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf in recent months as he weighs up an extraordinary competitive comeback.

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As a three-time PGA Tour winner, Kim already has eligibility for some lesser events on the US circuit this season via the ‘Past Champion’ exemption category.

Huge global intrigue surrounding the former Ryder Cup star’s revival means he would not be short of tournament invites either, as sponsors look to cash in on the phenomenon.

And while speculation swirls over where Kim decides to resurrect his golf career, PGA Tour sources have told bunkered.co.uk that they would embrace his return.

“I can confirm he would be eligible for some events via Past Champion category and of course, he would be a hot commodity for sponsor exemptions,” a well-placed source said.

“There’s no reason why we wouldn’t welcome him back if that’s what he wants to do.”

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Kim played his last PGA Tour event in May 2012. He required surgery on his Achilles tendon a month later, a procedure which was expected to see him sidelined for nine to 12 months.

Until now though, there has been no indication that he would ever return to professional golf, with fans limited to second-hand sightings and rare appearances at charity events.

It has been widely reported that Kim decided to cash in on a lucrative eight-figure insurance payout in the event of a career-ending injury to effectively retire at the age of 26.

Before escaping into the shadows, Kim was known as one of the sport’s most free-spirited and charismatic players.

He reached a high of No.6 in the world rankings and played a key role in the US Ryder Cup victory under Paul Azinger at Valhalla in 2008.

“I miss Anthony Kim,” Rory McIlroy said in 2019. “The tour was a better place with him in it. He was exciting.”

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.