Injuries robbed Anthony Kim of what looked to be a lengthy, successful career. Now, the golfer who once ranked as high as sixth in the world is eyeing an unlikely comeback.
Kim hasn’t played a tournament since withdrawing from the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship, yet he’s reportedly in talks with the PGA and LIV about returning to professional golf. According to Golf.com, there's a major hiccup regarding a $10 million insurance policy that would be voided upon a return.
Kim burst onto the scene in 2006 and nearly won his professional debut, tying for second in the Valero Texas Open. He won his first PGA Tour event at the Wachovia Championship in 2008, and became only the fifth golfer in 30 years to win three times on the tour before turning 25. The others were Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Adam Scott.
One of Kim’s crowning moments came in the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club. He defeated Garcia 5 and 4, playing a pivotal role in the United States' 16 ½ – 11 ½ victory. It snapped a streak of three straight wins by Europe in the premiere international event. He also notably set a Masters record for most birdies in a single round a few moths later, making 11 to shoot a second-round 65.
Unfortunately, injuries hit Kim hard over the years. He dealt with tendinitis in his left arm and sustained a thumb injury, but it was Achilles tendon surgery that proved to be too much. He went under the knife one month after withdrawing from the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship, and never played a single tournament after.
Now, over a decade later, we might see Kim tee up once again in an unlikely comeback.
