via Imago

The 2024 season could be called the comeback era for many pros. Whether it be Gary Woodland’s return to the sport on the Hawaiian greens or Tiger Woods‘s official return in February, another golfer followed a similar path. However, after 12 years of being absent from the greens, Anthony Kim made his debut in the PIF-backed league, LIV Golf.

Since then, Kim has been wholeheartedly committed to his golf career, restarting his journey at LIV Golf Jeddah. Recently, the 38-year-old confirmed his next outing will be outside of LIV Golf. Even after putting hard work into reviving his career, Kim might never come close to Woods, even if Mr.T doesn’t play golf this season.

Anthony Kim cannot acquire a rank globally 

After playing two events at LIV Golf in Jeddah and Hong Kong, for the first time, Anthony Kim will be playing an event outside the breakaway league. The three-time PGA Tour winner has committed to play at the International Series in Macau by Asian Tour with 24 other LIV golfers. Kim, who was once proclaimed to be the next Tiger Woods, has been trying to find his footing and get closer to Woods’s current career stats.

Despite Woods’s recent underwhelming form, Kim will be disappointed on the stats front. The former world number one currently sits at the 921st rank on the Official World Golf Rankings. Whereas, Kim stays unranked in the world system. For Kim to come closer to Woods’s rank, he will need to at least finish at three or better (per last year’s OWGR points distribution) at the International Seriers Macau.

This might not be possible for the 38-year-old pro, as he has been struggling with his gameplay. Kim shot 16 over in LIV Golf Jeddah and 3 over in Hong Kong. In both events, he was at the bottom of the leaderboard at 53 and 50, respectively. And with many top golfers, including Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, and Patrick Reed, teeing up in Macau, Kim’s chances to win the event will be bleak.

It will take many Asian Tour events for Kim to be able to come to par with Woods. But despite his ordinary performances, Kim has revealed his plans of getting better and using this chance to give his professional career a rebirth.

Anthony Kim reveals his agenda for the 2024 season

After finishing at last in LIV Golf Jeddah, Anthony Kim was surely upset by his rusty performance. However, the 38-year-old pro was not hopeless about the future. At the post-match interview, Kim expressed that he was “Obviously disappointed with the score,” but found that he “played much better than the score.” 

The three-time PGA Tour winner agreed that he has “got a lot to build on,” but he finds his groove, and “being in contention this year,” will not be a far-away dream for him and his supporters. And he proved that while playing the last round in Hong Kong. Despite his overall low finish, Kim had scored five under 65 and shocked the masses. If he stays to play similarly at Macau, Kim might not find it as difficult to finish better.