The LIV Golf setup have made yet another marque signing ahead of this week’s event in Saudi Arabia, which will no doubt be tough to take for the PGA Tour and Rory McIlroy.
Rory McIlroy might find it difficult to accept Anthony Kim’s choice of joining LIV Golf, considering that the Northern Irishman had previously expressed his longing for the American’s presence on the PGA Tour.
Kim, the most recent high-profile addition to the LIV setup, has made a significant impact despite being absent from professional play for more than ten years. This signing is considered one of the most notable in the league’s history. Kim, who had once been a prominent figure on the PGA Tour in the late 2000s, had faded into obscurity.
He was likened to the legendary Tiger Woods and achieved great success by winning three PGA Tour events within a span of two years, reaching the sixth position in the world rankings, and securing a place in the 2009 USA Ryder Cup team.
However, his rapid ascent came to a sudden halt when a series of injuries forced him to withdraw from multiple events in 2012, culminating in his absence from the Wells Fargo Championship. Since then, twelve years have passed without any sightings of the three-time Tour winner. However, to everyone’s surprise, he has now made a stunning comeback with LIV for this week’s tournament in Jeddah.
Kim is now part of a distinguished group of renowned golfers participating in the breakaway circuit, which includes the likes of Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, and Dustin Johnson. In contrast, McIlroy has chosen to remain loyal to the PGA Tour and has expressed his frustrations with the rapid emergence of the Saudi league on several occasions over the past two years.
It has been a while since he last played alongside Kim, and the American’s departure may have been particularly difficult for the four-time major winner. McIlroy expressed his desire for the former Ryder Cupper to make a comeback to the PGA Tour in 2019, stating: “I miss Anthony Kim.
“The tour was more vibrant with him around. He brought excitement. “I vividly recall that round [at the 2009 Masters]. You try to concentrate on your game, but you can’t help but notice this guy making a strong push. It was quite impressive.
“You witnessed his performance at The Ryder Cup in Valhalla in 2008. Yes, it was an amazing experience to be a part of. It was inspiring to witness. It’s reassuring to know that it’s achievable.” As mentioned by McIlroy, he had the opportunity to play alongside Kim at the 2009 Masters, where the 38-year-old managed to sink an impressive 11 birdies at Augusta National, setting a new record for the most birdies in a single round at the Masters.
LIV CEO Greg Norman played a pivotal role in facilitating the return of the former world No. 6 to the golfing scene. In anticipation of Kim’s first event in 12 years, Norman conveyed a warm message. “His exceptional talent is undeniable,” expressed Norman on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.
“As the Commissioner of LIV Golf, it is my privilege to provide this star with the chance to reignite his career. Welcome back to the LIV Golf family, my friend. The golfing community has longed for your presence.”
Leave a Reply