Kellye Johns
Mar 01, 2024 - 04:05

LIV Golf Anthony Kim shoots 76 first pro round 12 years

Anthony Kim returns to competitive golf after 4,320 days, struggles in first round at LIV Golf Jeddah, trailing Jon Rahm by 14 shots.

Anthony Kim made his long-awaited return to competitive golf at LIV Golf Jeddah, hitting his first shot in over 4,000 days. Unfortunately, his comeback did not go as planned as he struggled to a 6-over 76, finding himself in last place, trailing the likes of Jon Rahm and Adrian Meronk by a significant margin.

Kim had walked away from the PGA Tour back in 2012 due to injuries and a decline in his game. This week, he signed on as a wild card for the remainder of the LIV season, without belonging to any specific team. Despite having high expectations for his return, Kim was disappointed by the unforced errors he made on the course, especially with his iron game, which has traditionally been a strength for him.

On the other hand, Rahm, another newcomer to the Saudi-funded league, had a stellar round, finishing with a 62 to share the first-round lead with Meronk. The two were closely followed by players like Joaquin Niemann, who has already tasted success in LIV Golf this year.

While the focus was on Kim's comeback, he remains optimistic about the next two days of the tournament and is looking to build on his performance. With a young daughter now in his life, the 38-year-old Californian is determined to compete at the highest level once again after years of minimal golf activity.

As LIV Golf heads to Hong Kong next week, Kim's next appearance in the United States is scheduled for April, where he will have the opportunity to earn individual points to secure a permanent spot on the LIV tour in the future. Despite a challenging start, Kim is confident that he can improve quickly and showcase his true potential on the course.

In a field where only a few players managed to stay under par in the first round, Kim's return has sparked interest and curiosity among fans and fellow competitors alike. With the likes of Koepka also in the mix, the competition promises to heat up as the tournament progresses.