Sad news đ breaking few hours ago Anthony has just been confirmed……
Anthony Kim opens up on LIV struggles, skeptics and hard road back
Anthony Kimâs return to the elite ranks of professional golf has proven at least one thing: finding your form after a 12-plus-year layoff isnât easy. In his five LIV starts this season, Kim has not finished better than 50th in what are 54-player events and is a combined 52 over par. He also ranks outside the top 50 in three key statistical categories: fairways hit, greens in regulation and scrambling.
Still, Kim is back, and, as he sees it, that in itself is a win when you consider the tumultuous, addiction-challenged life he had been leading before he resurfaced in the public eye. Kim is enjoying having the routine of a pro-golf schedule again; of traveling with his wife, Emily, and their toddler daughter, Isabella; and of rediscovering the joys of a game that brought him fame, wealth and countless fans all those years ago.
This weekâs LIV stop â the Golf Club of Houston â conjures especially good vibes for Kim because it was the site of his third of three PGA Tour wins, at the 2010 Shell Houston Open. In the lead-up to LIV Houston, Kim spoke exclusively to GOLF.com about his road back, his path forward and the daily struggles he still confronts.
Anthony Kim:Â There have a lot of things that have been a surprise. They [LIV Golf] really treat us good here, everything is first class. I know the PGA Tour does a good job, so, itâs not a slight on them, but this is really, really nice.
Competitively, whatâs been the hardest thing about coming back?
Iâm still working to regain the focus I need to hit good shots and compete at the highest level. I need to focus on every shot, and there have been five to six shots a round I havenât been focused on, which has led to some bad holes. Thatâs where the momentum starts to shift, which leads to big scores. Thatâs been the number one thing for me.
Has playing for LIV reignited your passion for golf at this level?
Absolutely it has â not only competitively, but for golf in general. I wouldnât say I was ever excited to play the game, but now I wake up every morning grateful to be playing this game for a living, and also to have the opportunity to play on LIV. The most important thing is my sobriety and my recovery, and thatâs what Iâm going to focus on, along with practicing every day.
The recent death of Grayson Murray, who battled his own addiction issues, hit the golf world hard. How did you process it?
That was heartbreaking and it hit very close to home, like it did a lot of people. That could have been me, right? That could have been your brother or your sister. When you think about it that way, life is so precious, and you have to know how to enjoy it and appreciate it every day. That is the mindset I have. Youâre not always going to wake every day in a good mood, but you have to do the best you can with your circumstances.