EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT KIM'S RETURN
KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY, Saudi Arabia – When Anthony Kim tees off Friday at LIV Golf Jeddah, it will end a stretch of 4,320 days since his last competitive round as a professional golfer. His lengthy retirement, the charisma and excitement he displayed before that, and the mystique that has accompanied his nearly 12 years of hibernation have made his re-appearance in the golf world one of the biggest stories in recent memory. He's a must-watch this weekend and the rest of the 2024 LIV Golf season.
There are many questions about the 38-year-old Kim. Here are a few answers.
WHEN DOES HE TEE OFF?
Friday's shotgun start at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club is set for 11:15 a.m. locally (3:15 a.m. ET). Kim will begin his round at the par-5 18th with playing partners and major champions Graeme McDowell and Cameron Smith.
G-Mac is familiar with Kim, having competed against him at the 2008 Ryder Cup. Smith was 18 years old and still an amateur in his home country of Australia when Kim retired in 2012.
HOW TO WATCH
You can watch Friday’s regular LIV Golf live broadcast coverage via LIV Golf Plus, the LIV Golf YouTube Channel, the CW app and Caffeine. Also, Club 54 LIV Golf’s Pre- and Post-Shows are available on these platforms, providing reactions, analysis, insights and highlights of Kim’s rounds.
For a specific focus on Kim’s round, follow along with an exclusive “Group Feed” on LIV Golf Plus globally.
In addition, LIVGolf.com and LIV Golf’s social channels will provide multiple highlights and information throughout each round.
WHAT'S IN HIS BAG?
Here are the specifics on Kim’s equipment for LIV Golf Jeddah
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (Loft 9 degrees) with Fujikura Ventus Black TR-6X shaft
3-wood: Titleist TSR2+ (Loft 13 degrees) with Fujikura Ventus Blue TR-7X shaft
2-iron: Titleist T-200 with Fujikura Ventus Black MB 10-TX shaft
4-iron: Titleist T-100 with True Temper Dynamic Golf s400 shaft
5-PW: Titleist 620MB with True Temper Dynamic Golf s400 shaft
59-degree wedge: Titleist Vokey SM10 with True Temper Dynamic Golf s400 shaft
54-degree wedge: Titleist Vokey SM10 with True Temper Dynamic Golf s400 shaft
50-degree wedge: Titleist Vokey SM10 with True Temper Dynamic Golf s400 shaft
Putter: Titleist-Scotty Cameron Newport T10 Select with SuperStroke grip
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
WHO’S HIS CADDIE?
Longtime close friend Ryan Todey is on his bag.
DOES HE PLAY FOR A TEAM?
LIV Golf has 13 teams this season with the addition of Jon Rahm's Legion XIII, but Kim is not on any roster. He is one of two full-time Wild Card players (along with Hudson Swafford) who are playing independently in 2024.
Kim is set to compete in the remaining 11 regular-season tournaments and can accrue points in the league's individual championship standings and earn a team place in 2025.
FAMILY SUPPORT
Kim’s wife Emily and their 2-year-old daughter Bella are with him in Jeddah. “I'm excited to be out here with my daughter and my family and just enjoy the experience that LIV is providing,” he said.
WHAT'S HIS MINDSET?
In his exclusive pre-tournament interview with LIV Golf, Kim said he looks forward to returning to competitive golf but isn’t sure how he’ll feel when he steps up to hit his opening drive.
“I don't know how I'm gonna feel on that first tee,” he said. “It's been so long. But golf is just a game, right? So I've gone through enough things in my life where I'm gonna enjoy the moment and try to play the best I can and be OK with all the results.”
Despite the 12-year absence, he hasn’t lost his swagger – even though many of the players he’ll compete against will be unfamiliar to him.
“I don't know quite a few of the guys,” he said, “but I'm here to bust everyone's ass.”
WHAT DO HIS COMPETITORS THINK?
They are curious and intrigued – especially the ones who remember Kim at the height of his powers when he played so well at the 2008 Ryder Cup and set a Masters record with 11 birdies in a single round in 2009.
“He’s got a charisma, and you can tell that the world of golf is drawn to him,” said his former Ryder Cup partner Phil Mickelson. “Not many people have that charisma that he has. To have his swagger and his game back is exciting.”
“He’s an enigma that people love,” added Graeme McDowell, one of his Friday playing partners. “It’s like the legend has grown over the last 12 years. I think we’re all excited to see where the game is. Has he still got that fire?
“He was one of those golfers that transcended the sport a little bit. He brought in other fans that were not your conventional golf fans. But he’s a non-conventional golfer. Super-excited. Great dynamic. Excited to see how he does.”
For a full story on player reactions to Kim’s return, click here.
WHAT’S THE EARLY WORD?
Those who’ve tried to sneak a peak on the range say Kim is looking good. One player who watched from afar thought Kim’s swing was very similar to 2008.
While his swing may not be rusty, certainly there will be competitive rust. Windy conditions at Royal Greens will make things more challenging.
“Going to be interesting to see how he comes out here and gets back into tournament mojo,” said Sergio Garcia.
WHAT DO THE ODDSMAKERS THINK?
Kim is a longshot to win at +15000, according to oddschecker.com. By comparison, Jon Rahm is the favorite at +550, and 39 of the other 53 players in the field players have better odds than Kim.
A top-24 finish would get Kim into the points standings and would be an impressive result for his first time out in nearly 12 years. Odds of him finishing in the top 20 are +200.