In a gripping revelation, American Ryder Cup player Anthony Kim has shed light on the challenges he faced during his 12-year hiatus from professional golf. The 38-year-old, who recently joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, candidly admitted to falling victim to “scam artists” and “snakes” during his absence from the sport.
Kim, a one-time PGA Tour breakthrough star, opened up about his struggles in a revealing interview with LIV, saying, “I’m not going to lie, I was around some bad people. 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.”
The former world number six’s journey took a tumultuous turn after a string of injuries from 2010 to 2012, leading him to experience “very dark moments” and feeling “very alone, even when there’s a million people around.”
American under the age of 25 since Tiger
Despite his early success, which saw him become the first American under the age of 25 since Tiger Woods to win two PGA Tour events in the same year (2008), and his pivotal role as the youngest member of the victorious 2008 Ryder Cup side, Kim’s road to redemption was fraught with challenges.
Navigating through multiple injuries, including a spinal fusion, shoulder surgeries, and a hand operation, Kim found himself questioning his purpose in life. “Golf is important to me and not important to me at the same time,” he reflected. “I needed to get my mind straight and figure out what my purpose was on this planet.”
Kim’s comeback with LIV Golf has not been without its struggles, as he finished 16-over at the event in Jeddah last month. However, he showed improvement by finishing three-over at the subsequent event in Hong Kong. This week, Kim will take a significant step forward, competing in the United States for the first time in his comeback as the breakaway tour heads to Miami.
Through his candid revelations, Anthony Kim has not only shed light on the darker aspects of his journey but has also demonstrated his resilience and determination to reclaim his place in the golfing world. His triumphant return serves as an inspiration to those who have faced adversity and reminds us that embracing a newfound purpose can pave the way for redemption and growth.
