Once hailed as a “Golf Genius” but faded due to injuries, Korean-American golfer Anthony Kim returns after 12 years through LIV Golf.
LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman posted on his social media on the 27th (Korean time), “It’s an honor to give this player another chance to be reborn. We welcome him to the LIV family.”
Anthony Kim was born in 1985 and turned professional in 2006. He won twice in 2008 and once in 2010, totaling three wins on the PGA Tour. Notably, he set a record by making 11 birdies in the second round of the 2009 Masters. He attracted attention by performing strongly in major tournaments, including a third-place finish in the 2010 Masters.
He was on a roll, as he was selected as a U.S. representative for the 2008 Ryder Cup and the 2009 Presidents Cup, and his world ranking rose to sixth at one point.
In the U.S., he was a promising young golfer who was even compared to the “Golf Emperor” Tiger Woods.
However, he disappeared after withdrawing from the Wells Fargo Championship in May 2012. It was later revealed that he had surgery on his left Achilles tendon due to frequent injuries, but he was hardly active outside.
After a long break, he participates in an official tournament through LIV Golf.
CEO and Commissioner Norman said, “He oozes incredible talent. The world has seen it in the past. The golf world misses you.”
The tournament in which Anthony Kim will participate in “LIV Golf Jeddah,” which will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for three days from March 1st, has a total prize of $25 million.
During the same period, the PGA Tour will hold the Cognizant Classic, but with many top-ranked players absent, LIV Golf is expected to generate more buzz.
starburyny@news1.kr