He’s Back! Anthony Kim Is Planning to Return to Professional Golf

He’s the guy most young golf fans wouldn’t look at twice. The only realistic challenger to Tiger Woods in his prime, the guy that made golf look easy and oozed class with minimal effort back in the 2000’s.

Anthony Kim came second in his first ever PGA Tour start. He won his first Tour event at 22, bagged a handful of wins before 25, and was in the top ten in the world.

His Ryder Cup appearances in 2008 is the stuff of legend, dismantling Sergio Garcia on Sunday at Valhalla, 5&4. In 2009 he rattled off eleven birdies at Augusta National, in eighteen holes, carding a 65. The guy was untouchable, and his subsequent rapid disappearance from the golf left a multitude of questions, and longing amongst golf’s stalwarts.

Breaking: Anthony Kim is planning a comeback to pro golf.

(Yes, this is real.)

After a decade away, Kim is in talks with the PGA Tour and with LIV about his return.

He was 26 in his last pro event. He’s 38 now — but thinks his game is ready.

Details: https://t.co/plKQo8ixkA

— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) January 25, 2024

Anthony Kim faltered in 2010 through injury, and was last seen as a professional golfer at the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship as a 26-year-old.  Like a tornado, he stormed in, vanquished all in his path and left just as quickly. Well, according to Dylan Dethier, Anthony Kim is back.

“A central issue in negotiations has been an insurance policy from Kim’s playing days, now worth an estimated $10 million, that would be voided if he returned to competition. His decision to try the PGA Tour versus signing a deal with LIV also comes at a tense moment in negotiations between the leagues as they battle for players, attention and leverage as their respective 2024 seasons get underway — all while talks around a potential deal churn on in the background.”

Dethier reports that Kim, 38, believes his game is ready. As a past champion on the PGA Tour, he would have access to some tournaments, but sponsor exemptions would be taken care of, and Kim could even find himself benefiting from the Player Impact Program, such is his fan base in the golfing world.

With both PGA and LIV spokespersons declining to comment on Kim’s alleged return, the speculation began. If Kim is ready to return, we have to know where to look. His options are pretty clear, he could use the PGA Tour and generate competitive reps over the course of a lengthy return, getting back into the majors and all the signature events – or take the LIV upfront money to cover his insurance policy, and get the reps in there while scooping guaranteed paydays. No doubt he’d get his own team eventually. He could also slink back into the shadows, and we can wistfully recollect the limited memories we have of the maestro.

Kim is a huge deal, and will make waves on his return. In a nostalgic tone that only the real ones will appreciate, will we soon get to witness golf’s elusive hitman back on the first tee?

Cover Image via SI