Anthony Kim's return to professional golf after almost 12 years away has been a fairly tough watch so far, but the three-time PGA Tour winner insists he still harbors a "burning desire" to return to the top level one day.
Once among the brightest young talents anywhere on the planet, Kim mysteriously faded away from the sport following surgery on his Achilles in the aftermath of the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship.
The reasons for his lengthy hiatus were largely explained in an-depth interview with David Feherty earlier this season, but his return arrived not with the tour that he had left but instead in the LIV Golf League - a circuit which was nowhere close to existence the last time Kim put club to ball in a competitive sense.
Kim signed up as a 'wildcard' in the 54-hole league, making his second debut at LIV Golf Jeddah back in early March. Unsurprisingly, given the lack of competitive practice and - as it turned out - the absence of any custom-fitted clubs, the 38-year-old finished dead last out of all players who completed all three rounds.
From there, while there were certainly moments of optimism, Kim continued to struggle over the course of the week and has yet to crack the top-50 in his first five LIV starts.
Don’t let me showing my family and appreciating this life on SM fool u. I have a burning desire to get back to a high level and even better w a clear mind. I will get there and when I get I will be more prepared than everMay 9, 2024
Not that is deterring the American, however, as Kim has vowed to continue working hard in order to regain his place among the best players in the world.
Replying to one fan on X (formerly Twitter), Kim said: "Don’t let me showing my family and appreciating this life on [social media] fool u. I have a burning desire to get back to a high level and even better with a clear mind. I will get there and when I [do] I will be more prepared than ever."
If he is to do it, Kim will have to not only sharpen his prodigious talent but also quickly learn where the game is at and where it is heading as well. Since leaving golf in 2012, technology in the game has developed significantly - so much so that lawmakers felt forced to intervene late in 2023 via plans to rollback the golf ball.
But Kim, apparently, was unaware of such a momentous change in the game - innocently responding "what rollback?" during an exchange with golf account 'Flushing It' on X.
After another fan briefly explained what the rollback would mean for both amateurs and professionals, Kim replied: "The balls go stupid far now, but they have made these courses so long I’m not sure what’s gonna happen."
What rollbackMay 8, 2024
Before the rollback is brought in - set to be no earlier than 2028 - Kim is concentrating on his own physical and mental health challenges, though, and has been a huge advocate for spreading positivity since his comeback.
In another social-media post, he said: "Never thought I would be playing golf again from my battles with my #mentalhealth but thru my sobriety and support I am blessed with this stage. Results are not there yet but I’m gaining on it. 1% better everyday."
