Anthony Kim reveals USGA refused to reinstate him as an amateur

Anthony Kim has revealed the USGA refused to reinstate him as an amateur as he weighed up his options ahead of joining the LIV Golf League.

Kim, 39, ended a 12-year exile from the game earlier this year when he signed a one-year deal to compete on the Saudi-funded circuit throughout 2024 as a ‘wild card’.

Prior to making his shock comeback at LIV Jeddah in March, the American hadn’t played a competitive round of golf since the Wells Fargo Championship on the PGA Tour in May 2012.

Speculation over his disappearance, and the circumstances of it, quickly became one of the biggest golf mysteries of modern times, spawning multiple urban legends and rumours.

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Appearing on this week’s episode of The bunkered Podcast – his first major interview on this side of the Atlantic – Kim addressed many of those questions, revealing that his dream of returning to the game’s marquee events had led him to consider rejoining the amateur ranks.

“I actually tried to get my amateur status back, or talked about getting my amateur status back, right before LIV and the PGA [Tour] called,” he said.

“My wife was out golfing and I was sitting in the cart. I hit a good shot and she said, ‘How cool would it be if you played in The Masters again?’

“The only way I thought I could do that was by competing at the US Amateur.”

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The Masters currently extends invites to both the winner and runner-up of the previous year’s US Amateur Championship.

Kim continued: “I called my old agent but the USGA said no. That was something I thought would be pretty cool for my daughter to see. I definitely will be trying to qualify for some majors next and I’m looking forward to it.”

Kim said he was given no explanation by the USGA for turning down his request, adding: “I’m glad they did and I got this opportunity to play here on LIV, play with some of the best players in the world, and get to experience all these memories with my family.”

A spokesperson for the USGA told bunkered.co.uk: “The USGA has no record of a formal application for reinstatement or inquiry from Anthony Kim but has reached out to his team to discuss this matter further.”

In a wide-ranging conversation, Kim also opened up on:

• Doctors telling him he “didn’t have long left” to live less than two years ago.
• Facing abuse from social media trolls.
• His time in rehab.
• How much longer he intends to play.
• How LIV persuaded him to return.

You can listen in full here or stream below:

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