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Mark Schlabach, ESPN Senior Author
Anthony Kim, who final performed in an expert golf match almost a dozen years in the past, will apparently return to competitors at this week’s LIV Golf League occasion in Saudi Arabia.
Kim, 38, is anticipated to play within the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah match, scheduled to begin Friday at Royal Greens Golf & Nation Membership in King Abdullah Financial Metropolis. Kim is anticipated to play as a wild card, which means he’ll compete within the particular person competitors, however his scores will not depend within the staff occasion.
LIV Golf League CEO and commissioner Greg Norman teased Kim’s comeback in a submit to X on Monday, by which he shared a video from LIV Golf’s account that appeared to function Kim strolling down a fairway.
He oozes unimaginable expertise. The world has seen it previously and now it’s an honour as Commissioner of LIV Golf to make it possible for this star to be reborn. Welcome again and to the LIV Golf household mate. The golf world has missed you. pic.twitter.com/HNzsXPgFUp
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) February 26, 2024
A LIV Golf League spokesperson declined to touch upon Kim’s standing with the league when reached by ESPN.
Kim additionally had discussions about returning to the PGA Tour in latest months.
LIV Golf is not carried out courting PGA Tour gamers as nicely. In an interview with Australian Golf Digest, Norman confirmed that his league had been concentrating on Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion. Matsuyama gained the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Nation Membership outdoors Los Angeles earlier this month to interrupt the document for essentially the most PGA Tour victories by an Asian-born participant.
“We have been making an attempt to get Hideki Matsuyama,” Norman stated. “I do not thoughts admitting that. When Hideki gained in L.A., what’s the very first thing I did? I stated, ‘Congratulations, Hideki. I am happy with you, mate.'”
Kim made his final begin on the PGA Tour when he withdrew after the primary spherical of the Wells Fargo Championship in Might 2012. He underwent surgical procedure to restore an Achilles tendon harm in his left leg the subsequent month and hasn’t performed professionally once more.
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A sticking level in his comeback is that he collected no less than a part of a incapacity insurance coverage coverage that was reportedly value $10 million to $20 million. He would most likely be required to pay again a big portion, if not all, of the settlement he has collected.
Golf.com reported final month that the LIV Golf League wasn’t initially curious about signing Kim to a contract, however that Norman referred to as him to start negotiations on a possible one-year deal.
Regardless that Kim hasn’t performed in additional than a decade, the reclusive golfer has nonetheless been the topic of nice curiosity by golf followers. The previous Oklahoma star turned professional in 2006 and tied for second whereas taking part in on a sponsor’s exemption on the Valero Texas Open in his first begin.
Kim’s breakthrough got here through the 2008 season, when he captured his first PGA Tour victory on the Wachovia Championship at Quail Hole Membership in Charlotte, North Carolina. He gained once more on the AT&T Nationwide at Congressional Nation Membership in Bethesda, Maryland, about two months later.
Kim was ranked as excessive as sixth on this planet on the top of his profession.
Kim is maybe greatest identified for his efficiency as a rookie within the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Membership in Louisville, Kentucky. He walloped Spain’s Sergio Garcia 5 and 4 within the opening match of Sunday singles, serving to lead the U.S. to a 16½-11½ victory that ended Europe’s streak of three straight victories within the worldwide occasion.
Kim made 122 begins on the PGA Tour, making about $12.2 million in on-course earnings. His final victory got here when he defeated Vaughn Taylor in a playoff on the 2010 Shell Open. Per week later, he carded a 7-under 65 within the closing spherical of the Masters and completed third, 4 strokes behind winner Phil Mickelson.
Together with the Achilles tendon harm, Kim was affected by tendinitis in his left arm and a left thumb harm throughout his profession.
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