Why Did Anthony Kim Quit Golf 12 Years Ago? His Seven Surgeries, Addiction, and Mental Health Issues Explored

Anthony Kim’s return to the golf course after 12 years surprised the golfing community, sparking numerous questions in the wake of his comeback. While the professional encountered certain reactions from the community upon joining LIV Golf, his previous tenure as a PGA Tour pro before departing prompted various responses.

Beneath the surface of initial reactions lies a more profound inquiry: What led Anthony Kim to abruptly leave professional golf 12 years ago? Furthermore, what obstacles did he encounter during his prolonged hiatus from the sport? Let’s explore this intriguing story further, uncovering the underlying reasons and challenges he faced and shedding light on his enigmatic departure from the golf world.

Why did Anthony Kim leave?

Upon Kim’s comeback, the pro disclosed that he underwent “multiple surgeries” on different parts of his body, including his spine, hand, and shoulder. Furthermore, he admitted to battling “very dark demons,” primarily referring to struggles with alcohol addiction. Beginning in 2010, that year marked the start of struggles for the American pro.

To qualify for the Ryder Cup once more, Kim missed out on three majors because of a torn ligament in his thumb. Nonetheless, he still secured victory, claiming his first PGA Tour title in two years at the Houston Open. However, after some time, the pro underwent a procedure to repair the ligament and underwent surgery in May 2010, which took him 6-8 weeks to recover.

After the surgery, the 38-year-old missed out on two majors- the US Open and The Open. However, despite his efforts, things didn’t unfold as planned for him in the Ryder Cup, prompting him to move on to 2011. In 2011, Kim continued to face challenges as he missed the cut in 14 out of 26 events and also withdrew from one of them. Afterward, the American looked forward to a more promising 2012 but encountered numerous difficulties.

What happened to Kim in 2012?

Not only did Kim face challenges during the course, but he also encountered physical difficulties that hindered his ability to continue playing the game. In May 2012, the American revealed he was dealing with tendinitis in his left hand. However, even before that announcement, he had withdrawn from three consecutive events due to various physical issues.

Although the tendinitis in his hand healed after a few weeks, Kim faced another setback in July when he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during training. To recuperate from the injury, the pro had to take an extended break of 9 to 12 months from the golf course and was already feeling demotivated about returning to play. Furthermore, the pro’s body underwent a spinal fusion surgery, and he only resumed playing about three months ago after being approached by Greg Norman.

Amidst numerous rumors, Kim vanished from the golf scene in 2012. However, upon his comeback, the 38-year-old opened up to the community about his story, detailing his struggles not only with physical health and the game but also with mental health.

Anthony Kim’s mental health struggles

While grappling with the toll that his physical health and absence from the game took on him mentally, Kim also found himself battling alcohol addiction during his hiatus. Kim later disclosed to ESPN, “I was around some bad people,” referring to his environment. He remarked, “People that took advantage of me—scam artists. And when you’re 24 or 25, even 30 years old, you don’t realize the snakes that are living under your roof.”

Emerging from that dark period, Kim attributed his turnaround to his wife, Emily, and their 2-year-old daughter, Bella. However, understanding the difficulty of maintaining mental strength during such battles, the pro decided to assist his fans in their struggle with mental health issues, aiming to promote good mental well-being through his X, formerly known as Twitter.

Having returned to the greens, the American decided to carry on his professional journey with LIV Golf, staying engaged in the circuit. Considering Anthony Kim’s life and challenges during his break, what are your thoughts? Feel free to share your insights in the comments below!