The Band-Aid has been ripped off.
Anthony Kim made his return to the professional golf world Friday, firing a 6-over 76 in the first round of LIV Golf Jeddah at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in Saudi Arabia. Kim carded only one birdie during the first round and had seven bogeys, and he sits dead last in the 54-man field.
But, is that even a bad score? Kim hasn’t played a competitive round, let alone been seen in the public eye, in nearly 12 years. There was always going to be some competitive rust (see his shank on the fifth hole) and first-tee jitters he had to get over before we saw what he really had left in the tank.
Photos: Anthony Kim at LIV Golf Jeddah
However, as social media often does, there was no shortage of reactions to his debut Friday morning. Here’s what folks had to say about Kim’s return, and there were mixed reviews:
"Oh no"
Me, smug, 24 hours ago, holding glass of champagne: "Anthony Kim won't break 77."
Me, this morning, waking up: Jaw on floor, pick up and drop nine consecutive glasses, they shatter everywhere. "Oh no. Oh god no."
— Shane Ryan (Trustworthy) (@ShaneRyanHere) March 1, 2024
Aforementioned shank
Ohhhhh boy. Anthony Kim shank! pic.twitter.com/FOZyRizsFS
— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) March 1, 2024
LIV interest started early
Greg Norman says LIV reached out to Anthony Kim 2 years ago.
“We reached out to him early on but it wasn’t the right time for him. Whatever happens today doesn't matter. The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.”
It’s obvious that Greg had a huge part to play… pic.twitter.com/zYsSjAr0me
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) March 1, 2024
Shooter chimes in
For anyone asking about my thoughts on Anthony Kim’s first round on LIV pic.twitter.com/lvIo1pmq86
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) March 1, 2024
Splat
Feels like everything that could have gone wrong did with the Anthony Kim comeback. No interview while interest was highest. The "hello, haters" thing was weird (rest of the video was great). He debuts in the middle of the US night. Shank. Didn't play well. Splat (so far).
— Ryan Ballengee (@RyanBallengee) March 1, 2024
Doing us a service
Anthony Kim came out of retirement to end the debate about what a scratch golfer would shoot in a pro event. pic.twitter.com/cAQ8CH8Jvo
— Patrick Sullivan (@sullivangolf) March 1, 2024
Smart to debut in Jeddah
Honestly this is one of the reasons I thought it was smart for him to debut in Jeddah. Smaller crowds, can ease into things. And if he plays well here or in Hong Kong, ton of anticipation coming back to the U.S. https://t.co/S8nrAPIl6I
— Josh Carpenter (@JoshACarpenter) March 1, 2024
AK has haters?
Jerry Foltz after Anthony Kim wraps up his opening 76: "There are experts out there who said he couldn't break 80!" LOL what world do these guys live in where all these AK HATERS exist?
— Alex Myers (@AlexMyers3) March 1, 2024
Not that bad
So, I have Anthony Kim’s opening round in Jeddah at -8.17 SG: Total. (shot 76)
For comparison’s sake, Eric Cole was -8.45 in the first round at Cognizant yesterday. (shot 79)
All things considered, I don’t think it was that bad of a debut. #NotAHater
— Will Haskett (@willhaskett) March 1, 2024
Stinks
I am unfortunately here to report that Anthony Kim stinks.
— Masters Burner (@ANGC_burner) March 1, 2024
What about Zally?
golf twitter is so biased and stupid at times…
anthony kim shots 76 after 12 years removed from competitive golf = "haha, he sucks, can't compete"
will zalatoris shots 76 after 9 months removed from injury = "crickets"
— Scotty Tidwell (@ScottyTidwell) March 1, 2024
Pros tuning in
Anthony Kim is back on the golf course… I am not missing it.
— Pablo Larrazabal (@plarrazabal) March 1, 2024
Never heard of Trackman?
The LIV Broadcast just said Dustin Johnson had to show Anthony Kim how to use the Trackman this week and that he had never even heard of them before.
So much has changed in golf technology over the last decade and AK has always been a feel golfer.
— LIV Golf Nation (@LIVGolfNation) March 1, 2024
Wishing him the best
Regardless of where you stand on LIV golf, seeing Anthony Kim playing again is great.
I was always a fan of AK.
Plus I LOVE a good comeback story.Wishing him the very best in his return to pro golf.
— Lou Stagner (Golf Stat Pro) (@LouStagner) March 1, 2024
Clothing choices
More disappointed he put on a polo shirt than I am in his score.
— Roberto Castro (@cicioCASTRO) March 1, 2024
Wildly impressive
A first tournament round back in 11 years 76 is wildly impressive
— claire rogers (@kclairerogers) March 1, 2024
Never going to happen immediately
Anthony Kim shoots 76 and is DFL following the first round in his return to professional golf after 12 years away, but expectations shouldn’t have been too high. Maybe it’ll all come back at some point, maybe not. Either way, it was never going to happen immediately.
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) March 1, 2024
