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Anthony Kim, a former three-time PGA Tour winner, has made a surprising return to professional golf after an almost 12-year absence. Kim, a 38-year-old Californian, has joined the LIV Golf league as an individual player, marking his comeback to competitive golf.
LIV Golf, a Saudi-funded league, announced Kim's participation as a wild card entrant, which means he will not be associated with any of the 13 teams in the league. His first appearance will be at the LIV Golf Jeddah event at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, scheduled to start this Friday.
Kim's hiatus from golf began in 2012 when he withdrew from the Wells Fargo Championship after just one round due to injuries. Since then, he has stayed out of the public eye, making his return to the sport all the more intriguing for fans and fellow players.
Despite not being part of a team initially, Kim will have the opportunity to earn points during the season that could potentially secure him a spot on one of LIV's teams for the 2025 season, providing a pathway for a more permanent return to professional golf.
Brooks Koepka, a five-time major champion and the current two-time defending champion of the LIV Golf Jeddah event, will be among the competitors at the upcoming tournament. Koepka, who was still in college at Florida State when Kim last competed, adds to the star-studded field that Kim will face in his comeback event.
Kim's return to competitive golf has generated significant interest and excitement within the golfing community, with many eager to see how the former PGA Tour standout performs after such a long absence from the sport.
For more golf news and updates, visit the AP golf hub at https://apnews.com/hub/golf.