Anthony Kim On How Twitter Rumor Led To His LIV Golf Comeback
Kim was out of the game for 12 years before revealing how a random rumor on Twitter ultimately led to his pro golf return with LIV


Once among the brightest young talents in professional golf, Anthony Kim disappeared form the game for 12 years before surprisingly re-emerging in 2024 and quickly signing with the LIV Golf League.
Exactly what happened during Kim's enforced hiatus will - for now - remain something of a mystery, although the 39-year-old has since shared that he was struggling with addiction, depression and anxiety during much of that decade or so.
The details involved in that break will be shared when the time is right, according to Kim, but the man himself has at least partly explained the peculiar circumstances surrounding his return and why he ultimately opted to go with LIV Golf over the PGA Tour.
Confirmed by Kim while speaking to Rick Shiels during a recent match on the latter's YouTube channel, both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf League were interesting in adding the three-time pro winner to its ranks around January 2024.
Fuelled by a desire to continue turning his life around and being a good role model for his young daughter, Kim eventually came around to the idea. But this was after - in his own words - having barely touched a golf club for the past 12 years.
Anthony Kim is a three-time winner on the PGA Tour
The tours were apparently aware of Kim's situation but felt the former world star was still worth pursuing, even if Kim wasn't so sure.
Speaking to Shiels about the prospect of returning to the pro game, Kim said: "It definitely wasn't something that I thought was even possible. I had heard there was some interest in me coming back to golf, but then they had heard how far removed I was from the game and I figured there was zero chance.
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.
"Nor did I even want to play golf [at that point] because the last memories I have of playing golf are not fun. It was injury, struggle, addiction, depression, mental illness. So golf wasn't something I remembered and I was like 'yeah, let's go do this.' Wasn't even on my radar.
"But once I got sober for a few months and realized that both tours wanted me to play, I started taking it a little more seriously."
A deal to bring Kim to the LIV Golf League was agreed shortly before LIV Golf Jeddah in March 2024 - the third event of the campaign - and the enigmatic Californian went on to finish 53rd out of 54 players.
A 16-over score for the week might have been disappointing to Kim, but given the circumstances it was not a bad effort at all. And as the season wore on, he would make steady improvements to earn just less than $1 million in prize money.
Less than a year earlier, though, Kim playing pro golf at all wasn't even on anyone's radar. Except from "some random guy" on social media. Kim revealed that his whole second career is arguably down to a post from someone on X (formerly Twitter) - a person he is extremely grateful for.
Anthony Kim smiles during round one of LIV Golf Jeddah 2024
Kim explained: "The funny thing is that this conversation [about coming back] really got started because some random guy posted on his Twitter.
"I didn't even have Twitter, somebody sent me a picture of the tweet that said LIV signs me for a ridiculous amount of money. I wish they did! That's news to me. I must have been deeper into addiction than I thought!
"But then the rumors started and I got a call from some guys from the PGA Tour who said "is this true? Did you already sign?" At the time, I was like 'I don't even have golf clothes and people are asking if I've just signed for $100 million.'
"It was so insane that it all started from a social media rumor. And I have no idea who this guy is, but I owe him at least dinner!"

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. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Joaquin Niemann. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and recently reached his Handicap goal of 18 for the first time. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
-
Garmin Approach S44 Golf Watch Review
How does the latest installment in Garmin's golf smartwatch range perform both on and off the golf course?
By Conor Keenan
-
LIV Golf Korea 2025 Picks, Odds And Predictions
As the LIV Golf League arrives in Korea for the first time, check out the odds for the leading players and our picks to win this week
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Joaquin Niemann Earns US Open Spot After Latest LIV Golf Win
The LIV Golf Mexico City champion has booked his spot for Oakmont via LIV's recently announced US Open exemption
By Elliott Heath
-
Richard Bland Makes Albatross At LIV Golf Mexico City
The Cleeks GC player found the hole with just his second shot at the par-5 16th during the second round of the tournament
By Mike Hall
-
Bryson DeChambeau Produces 377 Yard Average Off The Tee At LIV Golf Mexico City
The American had the driver firing during his first round in Mexico City, with DeChambeau producing mammoth drive after mammoth drive at Club de Golf Chapultepec
By Matt Cradock
-
How Many LIV Golfers Have Qualified For the PGA Championship?
Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka are just two of 13 players from LIV Golf who will be able to tee it up at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow
By Paul Higham
-
Watch Bryson DeChambeau Smash 400+ Yard Monster Drive In LIV Golf Mexico Practice
DeChambeau is hitting mega drives this week in the 7,800ft altitude setting of Golf Club de Chapultepec in Mexico City
By Elliott Heath
-
Ping Joins Callaway As Second Manufacturer To Sponsor LIV Golf Team
Ping has signed a deal to sponsor Joaquin Niemann's LIV Golf team Torque GC just ahead of the event in Mexico
By Paul Higham
-
Wesley Bryan Confirms He Will Appeal ‘Indefinite’ PGA Tour Suspension
The YouTube content creator has confirmed he will be appealing the PGA Tour’s decision to suspend him for taking part in the LIV Golf: The Duels match
By Mike Hall
-
Why Does Tyrrell Hatton Wear The Topgolf Logo On His Hat?
The Englishman has the driving-range company on his cap due to a deal involving his LIV Golf League team, Legion XIII and Callaway
By Jonny Leighfield