Part of the PGA Tour. Missing for 12 whole years. Came back to the sport, albeit in a different league altogether. Yes, we are talking exactly about Anthony Kim, the golfer who joined LIV Golf earlier this year. Playing in both circuits is what must have inspired him. To do what? Well, the 39-year-old took to take a jab at the Jay Monahan-led circuit while putting the Greg Norman-led one on a pedestal.

The LIV Golf Pro shared a tweet on his X-handle while doing the same. His post, interestingly so, consisted of two videos of himself practicing his putts while dishing out his take in the caption above the recording. “Shoutout 2 @livgolf_league“, he wrote in his tweet. The reason? “For bringing new fans & a different vibe 2 the game of golf.”

Then came the golfer’s indirect jab at the PGA Tour. “Golf is finally evolving,” added Anthony Kim, “From being an uptight, shirt tucked-in, quiet game to a fun, diverse & most importantly inclusive sport.” Yes, the first part of his caption takes a dig at the longstanding traditions and rules that the professionals on the Monahan-led circuit follow to a tee.

Understandable from the LIV Golf Pro, seeing as how the Saudi-backed league allows its athletes to sport shorts instead of long pants. That, coupled with the practice of music blaring on the speakers during a round’s play at the PIF-funded circuit, sure does set it apart from the PGA Tour. Anyhow, it all boils down to the league’s policy at the end of the day.

More than 5 years ago, the golfers could only wear pants in competitive rounds, as instructed by the circuit’s policy. But come 2019, the Tour altered the same, allowing its athletes to wear shorts, albeit in just non-competitive rounds (read practice and Pro-Am rounds). But there was just a condition… The shorts should be knee length, tailored, and neat in appearance! Surely a change from 2012, back when Anthony Kim used to tee off on the PGA Tour.

Anthony Kim’s run on the PGA Tour

Although the golfer did dish out an indirect jab at the American Tour, he had also once expressed his gratitude towards the same for helping him when he started off. The circuit had helped him retire his home, support his mom, and follow his dreams, all the while making more than $12 million from his finishes.

His first victory came in 2008 at the Wachovia Championship, fetching him a mind-boggling sum of $1.2 million. Then came the AT&T National two months later, where he finished two strokes ahead of Freddie Jacobson to clinch the title. The last and final PGA Tour title, meanwhile, came at the 2010 Shell Houston Open, where he teed off against Vaughn Taylor in a playoff to win the same. Quite impressive, isn’t it? Agreed! But the current Anthony Kim is nowhere near that old version of the PGA Tour Pro. Regardless, his fans would surely hope he makes a better comeback next season!