PGA Tour respond to Anthony Kim rumours amid frenzied speculation
A PGA Tour spokesperson has confirmed there is no reason why the circuit wouldn't welcome back Anthony Kim after rumours surfaced he is pondering a return.
A PGA Tour source has confirmed there is no reason why Anthony Kim wouldn't be welcomed back to the circuit should golf's yeti decide to return.
Kim disappeared from professional golf at the age of 26 after a glittering start to his career.
He won three times and starred in the 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup side which included a 5&4 thrashing of Sergio Garcia.
Kim's future was expected to be bright and there were some who hailed the golfer as the next Tiger Woods.
But it is understood that he stepped away from the game after cashing in on an insurance policy said to be in the region of $10-20m.
Multiple reports have also suggested Kim never felt at home on the Tour and hated the limelight.
He had a complicated upbringing too, with multiple investigations by The New York Times and Sports Illustrated suggesting Kim's relationship with his father had a profound affect on his life.
Writing for SI nearly a decade ago, Alan Shinuck reported Kim's father once chucked a trophy for winning a junior tournament in the bin as Kim's scores 'weren't low enough'.
Over the years there have been infrequent sightings of Kim which have routinely prompted frenzied speculation he was thinking about returning.
There have been rumours that in between partying, relaxing and visiting strip clubs he has kept playing the game and still has the talent.
Take a look below of one of the most recent videos of his swing:
Anthony Kim is rumored to be making a comeback! What do you think of this swing? pic.twitter.com/xREnMUlPsH
— Miracle Swing Experience (@MiracleSwing) January 27, 2024
Kim, now 38 years old, was alleged to have recently held discussions with LIV Golf and the PGA Tour about returning.
How that affects his alleged insurance policy is unclear.
And whilst the PGA Tour declined to comment directly on Kim's reportedly imminent return, a source connected to the circuit told bunkered they would 'embrace' his return.
They told the publication's Ben Parsons: "I can confirm he would be eligible for some events via Past Champion category and of course, he would be a hot commodity for sponsor exemptions.
"There's no reason why we wouldn't welcome him back if that's what he wants to do."
In his heyday, one of Kim's biggest fans was Phil Mickelson.
Mickelson and Dustin Johnson have reportedly been attempting to get him to return.
No matter what happens going forward, Kim's journey will be fascinating to watch.
It always has.
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