Anthony Kim-LIV Golf Hype Ruptured, Tiger Woods’s Prodigy Won’t Be PGA Tour’s Nightmare, Per Reports

Anthony Kim might not join LIV Golf anytime soon, per recent reports. There were widespread rumors that the 3x PGA Tour winner might return to the greens through LIV Golf. The breakaway side’s announcement that there will be two reserve spots for unsigned players this season only fanned the flames. 

But Flushing It Golf reports that “Ben Campbell and Wade Ormsby are the travelling (sic) reserves for Mayakoba. No sign of Anthony Kim in any form. So, unless there’s (sic) some serious deception tactics, AK will not be teeing it up in Mexico for LIV Golf.” That effectively ends his chances of teeing up at LIV Golf Mayakoba on February 2. Reportedly, the cult hero of the PGA Tour, who vanished after 2012, was set to make a return. Apparently, Greg Norman was in talks with him.

It was Dustin Johnson, who reportedly spoke of Kim’s significance to the LIV Golf CEO. There were rumors that the Great White Shark was willing to pay the $10M–Kim’s insurance sum post-injury–to the former PGAT Pro upfront. Interestingly, Kim’s name was in the initial list of players on PIF’s radar in 2019 as court documents showed. However, even if Kim decides to join the breakaway league, it won’t be in Mexico, as Flushing It Golf’s report indicates.

Anthony Kim, already billed as the next Tiger Woods at the age of 26, withdrew from Golf in 2012, after tearing his Achilles tendon. It was believed that the PGA Tour Pro would return a year after going through surgery. However, that date never came as American International went through eight to nine surgeries subsequently.

In an interview with the Associated Press in 2015, Kim said that golf has become a ‘fond memory.’ But when it was reported that Kim had finally stepped on the gas, eying a return, LIV was thought of as a lucrative opportunity. Precisely for two reasons. 

Why was Anthony Kim thought to be joining LIV Golf?

Firstly, Kim might have to forego his $10M insurance–a part of which he has already taken–should he return to the professional field. LIV Golf, which shelled some half a billion on Jon Rahm, and is planning to dish out $60M for Tyrrell Hatton, was expected to match the insurance sum upfront. 

PGA Tour, on the other hand, will not offer that much upfront despite the promises of Signature events. Kim, as a PGA Tour source told Bunkered, will receive exemptions as a past champion in some events. Furthermore, given the 38-year-old’s on-course achievements–Kim made 11 birdies in the second round 2009 Masters that still stands–topped with his off-course charisma was expected to land him sponsorship exemption in a handful of Signature events. 

Read More: “Can’t Wait”: Tiger Woods’ Cheerleader Michael Phelps Sides With Anthony Kim for His Dramatic Return After 12 Years

But a 12-year absence meant there was no guarantee that Anthony Kim would top the leaderboard raking in vast sums of money. This is also why the upstart league with its no-cut format was thought to be a rather safe option for the returnee. The PIF-funded side offers guaranteed paychecks regardless of the player’s position in the leaderboard. But Kim’s future, like the man himself, remains an enigma!