In an in-depth interview with LIV Golf analyst David Feherty, Anthony Kim talks about his long break from the sport for the first time since returning to the professional golf stage. ‘The Journey Back’ provides intimate insights into Kim’s life outside the sport and his reasons for returning.
LIV Golf: “I really didn’t leave the house” – Anthony Kim’s long break
On the way to the interview, Anthony Kim reflects on his ambivalent relationship with golf: “Golf is important and not important to me at the same time. I’ve had some very dark moments, I’ve had some very sad moments, I’ve felt very alone even when there were a lot of people around me.” Once on set, David Feherty speaks to the 38-year-old about his sudden disappearance after injuring his Achilles tendon in June 2012. A visibly difficult subject for Kim, who celebrated his return to professional sport on the LIV Tour a few weeks ago: “I really didn’t leave the house. I’ve been watching a lot of reality TV and eating a lot and just hanging out with my animals.” The public opinion about him is that he took the insurance money back then and decided to just hang out. That’s not the truth: “I’ve had several operations in the last few years and my body is still not what it used to be.”
Before Anthony Kim landed at LIV Golf, the three-time PGA Tour winner was definitely toying with the idea of returning to the Tour. The offer was obviously there: “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t interested. They inquired about the possibility of me playing on the PGA Tour again. I weighed up both options.” Ultimately, however, Kim needed a fresh start and there was obviously more to be said for LIV.
Kim doesn’t have too high expectations for his next tournaments, as he is aware that he hasn’t played for twelve years. The aim is therefore to work hard every day and just see what comes out of it. Incidentally, his interest in golf was sparked again by his wife, who wanted to learn the game and so claimed the 38-year-old as her coach.
Anthony Kim’s curious relationship with golf: “I don’t think I’ve ever loved it”
The game has certainly changed in the twelve years of his absence. Some of the players at the top of the world rankings have never played against Kim. That is not relevant for Kim, he says, he only looks at himself and has really fallen in love with the sport for the first time: “I have an interesting relationship with golf. I don’t think I’ve ever loved it. What’s very strange for me at the moment is that I’m falling in love with the game. It’s a very strange point for me because golf for me was associated with pressure and a lot of emotions because my family had to go through a lot to give me the opportunity to play golf. This added pressure made me willing to risk a lot more, it was in my nature. I was aggressive on the golf course, so I was aggressive off the golf course, and that led to my downfall.”
An important aspect that motivated Kim to get out of his hole was the birth of his daughter: “I earned some money, I played golf, traveled around the world, but I had no self-esteem. Now I have the responsibility of looking after my family and being the best role model I can be for my daughter. It gives me purpose every morning, and I didn’t really have that before.”
Kim hints at addiction problems and hopes he can “inspire someone”
In his early 20s, Kim did some things that he blames in hindsight for his downfall. The now 38-year-old also hints at addiction problems: “With the personality I have, which is an addictive personality, it can get out of control. The mind is a very tricky, scary place.” With his upcoming documentary, the US-American sees an opportunity to help other people out of this hole, which he himself only managed to get out of with the help of his loved ones. Kim hopes that he can “inspire someone to dig themselves out of this hole.”
Kim is convinced that he can return to the level he was at before his injury: “I believe that I can definitely play at this level again. I am more prepared than ever for success. I don’t think I was in my first career because I didn’t know what to expect. My mistakes were the reason why I fell into this deep hole. Having better people around me this time definitely helps.”
Kim would also not be averse to taking part in a major in the future. The 38-year-old could certainly think about it if he is actually able to reach his former level again: “I mean, if they give out [invitations], I’m ready to accept them (laughs).”