Rory McIlroy will feel particularly hurt by latest LIV Golf move as Saudi league make new signing
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
Golf’s forgotten man Anthony Kim is set to become the latest chapter in the sport’s ongoing saga between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, as he lines up a dramatic return.
Kim announced himself as one of the world’s best players in the late 2000s, landing three PGA Tour titles in less than two years before coming within four shots of winning the 2010 Masters. A whole host of injury issues followed though, and his career appeared to have came to an abrupt end in 2012.
His final appearance occurred at the Wells Fargo Championship that same year, when he was forced to pull out of his third straight event due to his ongoing struggle with fitness.
Kim has not played competitively in golf for the past 12 years, having gone into exile. But after more than ten years away, it seems the former Ryder Cup player is preparing for a return at the height of one of golf’s most turbulent eras.
Per Golf.com Kim is said to be contemplating making a return to the PGA Tour, or joining Jon Rahm and co at LIV Golf. According to the report, the breakaway league’s interest in Kim had initially been low, but input from 2022 individual champion Dustin Johnson on Kim’s worth appears to have changed things.
Kim is said have had held a personal conversation over the phone with LIV CEO Greg Norman, about making the Saudi switch. Rumours have suggested that the American could become a part of Rahm’s soon-to-be-announced four-man team, with the Masters champion still yet to confirm his roster for 2024.
He could also take the team-less route with LIV Golf too, who are set to introduce a 54-man field for their upcoming season, which will see two wildcard players tee it up at each event. Kim is also said to be in conversation with the PGA Tour, however their appears to be one large hurdle in the way.
Amid his torrid injury record, Kim has an insurance policy worth upwards of £8 million ($10m), and a return to action would reportedly void this. It is suggested that LIV have in fact offered to hand Kim a signing fee of the same figure to cover the policy in a bid to secure his signature.
Kim might be a better fit for LIV given that the man hasn’t played competitively in 12 years, especially with an £8 million offer on the table. Instead of competing in four-round cut events on the PGA Tour, Kim would participate in the league’s more relaxed 14-event schedule, which consisted of 54-hole, no-cut competitions.
There would be other choices if the Tour was his first choice, though. With Kim’s popularity and intrigue, he would certainly be a draw as a sponsor exemption in addition to being able to use his past-champion exemption to compete in some events. Kim is 38 years old.
