Anthony Kim to is competing in his first competitive tournament in 12 years later this week, after the former PGA Tour star agreed a deal to join LIV Golf in Saudi Arabia.
Hunter Mahan, a former star of the American Ryder Cup team, wasted no time in highlighting Anthony Kim’s skills as he prepares for his debut in the LIV Golf tournament in Saudi Arabia this week.
Kim had been somewhat forgotten in the world of golf after seemingly abandoning his career due to a series of injuries in 2012. The 38-year-old’s last appearance was at the Wells Fargo Championship that year, where he had to withdraw from his third consecutive tournament due to fitness issues.
However, Kim had initially made a name for himself as one of golf’s most promising talents when he burst onto the PGA Tour scene in the late 2000s. He drew comparisons to the legendary Tiger Woods after winning three events in just two years.
During that time, Kim also earned a spot on the United States Ryder Cup team in 2008, alongside Mahan, who has won six PGA Tour titles. Now, after more than a decade away from the sport, Kim has returned after signing with LIV, and Mahan spoke highly of his former teammate’s abilities.
Mahan expressed the difficulty of conveying Kim’s exceptional skills to others. According to him, Kim possessed remarkable talent and a unique combination of technique. His swing was outstanding, and his short game was impressive.
Although he had occasional inconsistencies with putting, his ball striking technique was consistently excellent. Moreover, Kim was fearless when it came to competition and had a strong desire to outperform his opponents. Mahan even compared him to Tiger Woods in terms of his competitive spirit. The praise for Kim didn’t end there.
Brian Harman, the Open champion, also commended Kim’s abilities. Having played alongside him in the 2005 Walker Cup, Harman claimed that Kim was one of the most talented golfers ever, ranking among the top three.
Harman marveled at Kim’s ability to hit the ball as far as anyone, his exceptional short game, and his precise iron shots. Kim’s return to the golfing scene became a topic of speculation at the beginning of the year after a period of absence.
Reports indicated that the ex-world No. 6 player was in discussions with both LIV and the PGA Tour regarding his highly anticipated return, and ultimately decided to join the Saudi-backed league for this week’s tournament in Jeddah. Prior to his comeback to the sport, the former Ryder Cup participant received a warm welcome from LIV CEO Greg Norman.
“His talent is truly remarkable,” Norman posted on Twitter. “It has been showcased before, and now, as the Commissioner of LIV Golf, I am privileged to provide the platform for this star to shine once again. Welcome back to the LIV Golf family, my friend. The golfing community has longed for your return.”
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