Anthony Kim made his long-awaited return to golf this weekend at LIV Golf in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Having been away from professional golf for more than 12 years, it must have been difficult for him to consistently perform. It’s no wonder Kim struggled throughout the event, finishing in last place Sunday with a 4-over 74.
In this tournament, he finished at +16, 11 strokes worse than the second-from-bottom finish held by Hudson Swafford.
Kim knows he has work to do, but he likes where he is playing.
“After playing in this tournament and playing so badly, I’m even more encouraged, really. But very encouraged. I’m looking forward to what’s to come. My game is starting to take shape. I’m doing what I used to do,” Kim said after the final round.
Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images
“I definitely played a lot better than the actual score. I felt more comfortable today than I did the first two days. I shot 4 over par, but I need to get a few things sorted out. It could have been an under-par round.”
A slow start each day was the difference between winning the competition and posting an ugly final score.
He started Saturday’s second round with three consecutive bogeys and hit a double on the fourth hole.
“Unfortunately, it still takes a few holes to get comfortable. I think most of my over-par scores are in the first six holes. If I can find a way to get my mind right before going into the match, great. I think I can get into that state.”
After such a long layoff, a slow start is to be expected. Both he and LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman have expressed their utmost interest in the former world top 10 player.
He will get his next chance to regain his form in Hong Kong from March 8-10.
Kendall Capps is the senior editor of SB Nation’s Playing Through.For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough On all major social media platforms.
