5 Standout Moments From Anthony Kim’s Professional Golf Career
Following the American's return to the top level with LIV, Golf Monthly has taken a look back at a handful of Kim's most-memorable achievements to date
Anthony Kim was one of golf's 'cool' guys during his opening venture into the pro game. He wore his heart on his sleeve, played in a different way to a lot of his peers, and he wasn't afraid to speak his mind.
To back it up, he was a very good player as well, having reached the top level in his early 20s and represented his country on more than one occasion.
Yet, injuries took Kim away from the spotlight too soon, and he remained in exile for almost 12 years before making his return as a wildcard player in the LIV Golf League in February 2024.
While no one is quite sure what to expect during chapter two of Kim's career, we can always look back at some of his highlights from yesteryear in the hope the now 38-year-old might be able to repeat it once more.
DEBUT PRO VICTORY
Having turned pro in 2006 and gone very close to winning on his PGA Tour debut - he finished T2 at the Valero Texas Open after receiving a sponsor's exemption - Kim gained his PGA Tour card at Q-School later that year and set about hunting down a first victory.
He recorded four top-10 finishes during his rookie season in 2007, but it took Kim until May 2008 to finally lift silverware. That arrived at the 2008 Wachovia Championship after Kim surged clear of former Open Championship winner, Ben Curtis by five strokes. Until 2015, Kim's 16-under par 272 total was the lowest score in the tournament's history.
WORLD NO.6
A matter of weeks after his first win, a second followed at the AT&T National, hosted by Tiger Woods. Kim saw off Sweden's Freddie Jacobsen by two shots at the July event .
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
The California-born golfer's year became even better, though, after two T3 finishes in the final two 2008 FedEx Cup events lifted him up to sixth in the Official World Golf Ranking - his highest career position to date.
RYDER CUP THUMPING
Kim enjoyed a fantastic Ryder Cup debut, earning his country 2.5 points from a possible four throughout the week as they ended a run of three consecutive European victories to land a statement 16.5-11.5 win.
One of six rookies in the US team, Kim capped off his memorable few days with an unequivocal 5&4 hammering of Ryder Cup legend, Sergio Garcia in the opening singles match on Sunday. Kim was so far into 'the zone', he didn't even realise the match was over!
MASTERS BIRDIE RECORD
Kim's best finish at The Masters was in 2010 when he came third, four back of eventual champion Phil Mickelson. However, a year earlier, in what was Kim's first Masters appearance, he set an unbelievable record that still stands to this day.
During his second round at Augusta National, Kim shot an extraordinary 65 that featured a scarcely believable 11 birdies. The week was classic 'AK', with a 75 on Thursday followed up by one of the most memorable outings in the long, long history of the world's most famous golf tournament.
He ended up finishing 20th, and also received a crystal vase for his efforts. But beating Nick Price's previous record by one courtesy of a 12-footer on the last for a slice of history would have been the real prize.
THIRD PGA TOUR WIN
Kim's stock continued to rise at the turn of the decade, and the American created yet more history by securing a third PGA Tour title at the 2010 Shell Houston Open when he beat Vaughn Taylor in a playoff.
As a result of that success, Kim became only the fifth player in 30 years to have won three times on the PGA Tour before the age of 25, following Woods, Mickelson, Garcia, and Adam Scott.
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. An improving golfer who still classes himself as ‘one of the worst players on the Golf Monthly team’, Jonny enjoys playing as much as he can and is hoping to reach his Handicap goal of 18 at some stage. He attended both the 150th and 151st Opens and is keen to make it an annual pilgrimage.
-
Ping Ladies G Le3 Traverse Cart Bag Review
Alison tests out the Ping G Le3 Traverse Cart bag, to see how well it does on the course
By Alison Root Published
-
G/FORE Women’s G.112 Kiltie Golf Shoe Review
Alison takes to the course to test out these shoes from G/Fore and see how they stack up
By Alison Root Published
-
Talor Gooch One Of Two LIV Golfers Given Special Invite To PGA Championship
The 2023 individual champion will tee it up alongside David Puig at the Major, two months after Joaquin Niemann confirmed he would also appear after receiving a special invite
By Mike Hall Published
-
LIV Golf Appoints Pepsi Senior Executive As Chief Marketing Officer
Former PepsiCo senior executive Adam Harter has been appointed LIV Golf’s new Chief Marketing Officer
By Mike Hall Published
-
Greg Norman Insists LIV Golf Will Still Be In Operation After Prospective PGA Tour Deal And 'Well Past' Death Of 'Young' Yasir Al-Rumayyan
The LIV Golf CEO was discussing the circuit's future amid a potential deal between its backers - the Saudi PIF - and the PGA Tour, in an exclusive interview with Bloomberg
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
5 Talking Points You Might Have Missed From The Final Round Of LIV Golf Singapore
Brooks Koepka just about held off Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman to land his fourth LIV Golf Individual title - but what else happened on Sunday at Sentosa Golf Club?...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Brooks Koepka Warms Up For PGA Championship Defence By Sealing LIV Golf Singapore Victory
The American shot a final-round 68 at Sentosa Golf Club to win his fourth individual LIV Golf title
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
LIV Golf Announces Rules For Upcoming Mid-Season Transfer Window
LIV Golf has finally announced the rules for the mid-season transfer window, which will open following the event in Singapore
By Ben Fleming Published
-
LIV Golfers 'Good Enough To Get In' Are Welcome At US Open 'With Open Arms'
USGA boss Mike Whan will welcome LIV Golf players with open arms into the US Open - if they are good enough to qualify
By Paul Higham Published
-
Phil Can Still Thrill - Watch Mickelson Smoke A Driver Off The Deck At LIV Golf Singapore
Phil Mickelson showed he can still be box office viewing with a pure driver off the deck in Singapore
By Paul Higham Published