Anthony Kim, the former world number six who will play his first competitive round in the United States in 12 years on Friday, stated that doctors informed him he didn’t have “much time left” unless he changed his life.
After more than a decade in the woods, during which he became golf’s version of the fabled Yeti, Kim resurfaced last month to join with LIV and play two events in Asia on the Saudi-sponsored circuit.
The 38-year-old’s form was first mocked until he scored a 65 in Hong Kong, and the unusual aspect of his comeback was highlighted at Kim’s first news conference since his return.
“When doctors tell you that you might not have much time left, it’s a rude awakening,” Kim remarked in Miami on Thursday. “I still think about that today when I’m out there and I’m irritated with my golf, because I know how far I’ve come. But, yeah, I got to the point where I might not be here talking to you guys.”
Kim has yet to clarify what prompted him to reach “my low point,” but in a video posted on the LIV website earlier this week, he spoke of his “addictive personality” and how, as a young golfer, he was surrounded by “scam artists” and “snakes.”
‘I had expert help—I didn’t cope with a lot of trauma.’
The former Ryder Cup player is due to reveal the information in a documentary that is still in production. “Although people don’t need to know the journey, I’m going to share it and the people that find inspiration and strength from it, I hope it can influence them in a positive way,” he went on to say.
“I got professional help. I guess I didn’t deal with a lot of the trauma and whatever else happened in my life, and I buried it because I didn’t want to show anyone my weakness. And I used to believe that expressing vulnerability was a sign of weakness, but I’ve gotten to the place in my life where I don’t care whether or not someone thinks that about me.
“My [two-year-old] daughter is all I care about, and I know it almost sounds corny for me to say but as long as she’s proud of me, I’m a happy man.”
Kim, who had undergone several surgeries during his absence, did not resume playing until a few months ago. He has declined to address the much-discussed insurance policy that reportedly paid him between $10 million and $20 million when he left due to injury, but he has all but acknowledged that it existed.
It’s unclear how much it cost LIV to coax Kim back, but following these revelations, how he does will undoubtedly receive greater attention. Kim will compete in a 54-man lineup that includes Jon Rahm, the Spaniard who will defend his Masters title next week.
He won the Houston Open 14 years ago this week, then finished third in the Augusta major. “I feel blessed to be here,” Kim said at Doral.
