Tiger Woods ex-coach sends message to Anthony Kim after American seals LIV return

Tiger Woods' former golf coach Hank Haney has congratulated Anthony Kim after the former PGA Tour star sealed a return to LIV Golf. 

Kim endured two miserable seasons with the PIF-backed league after he returned to the sport following a 12-year hiatus. 

The 49-year-old finished in the drop zone in 2024 but was exempt from relegation because he joined the breakaway tour as a wildcard. 

He finished in the drop zone for the second time in 2025 but LIV changed their rules and enforced relegation. 

Kim and former Open champion Henrik Stenson were among those who got the boot. 

Kim was expected to ply his trade on the International Series this year, under the banner of the Asian Tour, but now will have the opportunity to compete in the $20m events for the third year in a row. 

The 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup star emerged as one of three players to grab LIV cards for the 2026 season at their Promotions event in Florida. 

Canada's Richard T. Lee and Sweden's Bjorn Hellgren also won golden tickets to LIV - read more about them here. 

An emotional Kim sent a message to his critics after his final putt dropped on Sunday. 

And now he is receiving plenty of messages of support and congratulations on social media. 

Haney, Phil Mickelson and even multiple PGA Tour winner Billy Horschel have sent messages to Kim:

"I had such bad feelings about the game of golf"

Kim returned to the sport two years ago after a 12-year hiatus. 

He was once one of the PGA Tour's hottest prospects.

In 2008, he became the first American under the age of 25 since Woods to win two PGA Tour events in the same year. 

That year also saw him play a starring role in the 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup victory at Valhalla. 

Kim's life then descended into misery, with the golfer becoming addicted to drugs and hanging around the wrong people.

Kim told reporters last Sunday that he didn't even want to play again. 

"I had probably grinded for about three and a half months before I teed it up in my first event," he said. 

"I had heard that both tours were interested in having me. I really didn't want to do it. I didn't want to play. 

"I had such bad feelings about the game of golf because of the mental state I was in when I was playing golf.

"But part of my rehab process was to get outside and enjoy the weather and be in nature. 

"Spending time with my wife and daughter became a key to me getting back into the game.

"This is a surreal moment for me because other people obviously outside of my inner circle doubted me, but I would be lying to say that I didn't know if I would ever earn my way back. 

"To all the people that don't feel I belong, they can suck it now."

Kim said he expected his results to have been better over the last 24 months. 

"I had no gauge of where my game would be, how quickly it could come back," he said. "

"There were definitely low moments throughout those two years.

"But I believe in myself more than anybody else believes in me, and I think that's all that matters. 

"I felt like I would earn my spot back if I did get relegated, which I did. 

"I felt like if I just kept my foot on the gas and just kept grinding that great things were going to happen. 

"I'm very happy to be in this position now.

Kim said he is not here just to make up the numbers. 

"I've said it a million times; I wouldn't be here practicing, trying to get one percent better every day, to finish third or finish 10th. That's not my goal. 

"Who knows if I'll get there. But that's my mindset. I'm a competitor. I have a very blessed life with my family.

"What do I got to lose besides go for it?"