Anthony Kim discusses 12-year break after unexplained golf disappearance: ‘I was around some horrible people’

Anthony Kim discusses 12-year break after unexplained golf disappearance: ‘I was around some horrible people’

Paul April 9, 2024

By the age of 26, Anthony Kim had successfully established a promising career in golf. He achieved numerous victories on the PGA Tour, reached the 6th position in the global rankings, and was a member of the triumphant Team USA in both the 2008 Ryder Cup and 2009 Presidents Cup.

However, he subsequently vanished. His body was severely fragmented due to a series of grave traumas, resulting in rare and infrequent public appearances.
However, earlier this year, after a 12-year absence from golf, Kim unexpectedly returned to competitive play. He joined the LIV Golf circuit as he made his comeback to the sport he was on the verge of succeeding in more than ten years ago. Kim has recently disclosed the reasons behind his abrupt departure from golf, revealing that certain individuals in his circle had a detrimental impact on his professional trajectory.

“I must admit, I associated with some unsavory individuals,” Kim stated during an interview with David Feherty for LIV. “Individuals who exploited me.” Fraudsters. At the ages of 24, 25, or even 30, individuals often fail to recognize the presence of deceitful and treacherous individuals within their own household.

Kim is knowledgeable in coexisting with animals. During the interview, he disclosed that he had resided with six canines and two primates at a certain juncture, while also admitting to a phase of seclusion during which he refrained from venturing outside and indulged in copious amounts of reality television.

In an effort to reorganize his life, he recounts eliminating “approximately 98%” of the individuals he had in his circle during his initial ventures into golf.

Kim provided a comprehensive account of his injury issues, revealing that he underwent numerous surgeries on his Achilles tendon and shoulder, in addition to procedures on his hand and a spinal fusion.

The golfer, who has won the PGA Tour three times, conveyed the significant burden he experienced from a mix of ailments and external circumstances during that period.

“Golf holds both significance and insignificance for me,” Kim stated. “I have experienced periods of profound darkness.” I have experienced instances of profound despair.

“I have experienced profound solitude, even in the presence of a multitude of individuals.” I required mental clarity and sought to ascertain my mission on this earth. In May 2012, Kim participated in a sport for the first time since then. She came in last place at LIV Golf’s third event of the season in Saudi Arabia. Kim stated that he had received offers to rejoin the PGA Tour but decided to sign with LIV instead.

The 38-year-old golfer scored 16-over par, placing last among the 53 players in the tournament after completing all 54 holes. Kim found being back out on the course encouraging, despite his performance and his honest evaluation of his output.

The American attributes his wife and the birth of his daughter to aiding his reestablishment of normalcy and initiating his initial progress towards resuming his golfing activities.

Kim’s journey has primarily involved rediscovering his actual hobbies. To his astonishment, golf occupies a prominent position on his list.

“I have a unique connection with the sport of golf.” I have never experienced a feeling of affection towards it. “I find it extremely peculiar that I am currently developing strong feelings of affection towards the game,” he stated.

“That particular situation is peculiar to me because playing golf was accompanied by a great deal of stress and a wide range of emotions. This is because my family had to endure numerous challenges in order to provide me with the chance to play golf.” Given the additional pressure, I became more inclined to take greater risks. That was inherent to my character. I displayed assertive behavior both on and off the golf course. And that resulted in my downfall.