Anthony Kim's horror start to LIV Golf life continues in R2 at Jeddah
Anthony Kim's torrid LIV Golf debut continues with a second consecutive round of 76. But he won't finish last!
Anthony Kim's LIV Golf debut went from bad to worse after carding a second consecutive round of 76 in round two at LIV Golf Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
Kim, 38, was announced as LIV's latest signing earlier this week following a 12-year spell on the sidelines due to injury.
The widely assumed explanation is that Kim cashed in on an insurance policy worth $15-20m after struggling with injuries.
Had he continued his career on the PGA Tour that would have been voided. It has also been speculated he didn't enjoy Tour life.
Kim said ahead of his LIV Golf debut this week: "I will tell my story when it's the right time but right now I'm focused on golf."
The three-time PGA Tour winner and former US Ryder Cup star has been handed an exemption to compete in all remaining LIV events this year. He just won't have a team.
Anthony Kim continues to struggle on LIV Golf debut
After admitting he was taking the positives from his opening round of 76, despite hitting a top and a shank, Kim returned to Royal Greens Golf & Country Club to shoot the exact same score on Saturday.
Kim once again stumbled out the blocks by playing his first four holes in 5-over par having started on the 15th hole.
He lost his ball on the 17th after it bounded down a cart path and into the desert.
Things could have got even worse if his ball had not bounced out of the water on 18.
Anthony Kim is struggling big time on LIV today and is 4 over through 3 holes. He just got the best break ever on 18, with his 3rd shot bouncing out the water too. He’s going to struggle to break 80 today. pic.twitter.com/UGvV6er1YN
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) March 2, 2024
Kim settled down with a birdie on the par-4 1st but then handed two more shots back with a double on the par-3 3rd.
To Kim's credit he did par the remaining 11 holes to the house, so he can at least take some consolation from that.
At one stage during the round, Kim had to be reminded to drop his ball from knee-height instead of shoulder-height when taking relief from casual water.
That rule came into effect in 2019.
WATCH: KIM HITS HORROR SHANK!
Kim holed a 10-footer for par on his final hole, and understandably looked deflated as he plucked his ball out the cup.
Related: How much will Anthony Kim and others earn at LIV Golf Jeddah
Anthony Kim shoots a second successive 76, to be 12 over par and 9 shots adrift at the bottom of leaderboard at LIV Jeddah.
Is this better or worse than you expected? pic.twitter.com/vDaTteqJNX
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) March 2, 2024
He will not finish the week in last place, however, as Matt Wolff was forced to withdraw from the tournament.
Kim is more than likely going to finish in 53rd place out of the 54 though as he trails the next player - Ian Poulter - by nine shots.
He will bank $50k for finishing 53rd.
At the top of the leaderboard, in-form Joaquin Niemann leads the way by two shots on 13-under par.
Torque GC captain Niemann, who recently received a special invite to compete in The Masters this April, is bidding to win his second LIV event in three starts this season.
Former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel is in second place on 11-under par, one shot clear of his compatriot and Stinger GC teammate Louis Oosthuizen and Smash GC's Jason Kokrak.
Overnight leaders Jon Rahm and Adrian Meronk are a further shot adrift after carding rounds of 69.
As it stands, Stinger GC are well clear by seven shots on the team leaderboard.
But with all four scores counting in Sunday's final round, much can change and fast.
What have you made of AK's debut on LIV Golf this week? Do you think LIV are regretting their decision to bring him back, or will he shake off the rust in upcoming events? Share your thoughts on the GolfMagic social media channels.
