Jay Monahan confirms PGA Tour held talks with Anthony Kim
The PGA Tour commissioner revealed that representatives from the American circuit did meet with Kim to discuss a return to the Tour.
Anthony Kim made a shock return to competitive golf earlier this year when he teed it up at LIV Jeddah, marking the end of his 12-year stint in the golf wilderness.
The enigmatic American disappeared from the professional game in 2012 following a string of injuries that forced him into early retirement.
Despite many believing he would never return to the professional men's circuit, he was lured out of retirement by LIV CEO Greg Norman and now has a permanent spot on the LIV Golf tour as a wildcard for the remainder of the 2024 season.
He signed a one-year deal with the Saudi-backed league, estimated to be worth between seven to ten million dollars.
Speaking to the media ahead of the 50th anniversary Players Championship, Jay Monahan was asked about Kim's return and whether or not there was ever a conversation held to get him back in action on the PGA Tour.
Monahan gave a short but sharp response.
He said:
Reading between the lines, it would appear that Kim would have likely been made to climb back up the PGA Tour ladder via the Korn Ferry Tour in order to regain a place on the men's premier circuit, where he once won three titles.
With that in mind, it seems fairly obvious why a lucrative move to LIV was more enticing.
Despite Kim's former glory on the PGA Tour, it would have likely been a hard and long road back to the PGA Tour and the form that once saw him represent Team USA at the Ryder Cup.
Kim's form since his debut has been rusty at best. His first appearance at LIV Jeddah resulted in a last-place finish, 33 shots behind the winner, Joaquin Niemann.
Despite that frustrating start, Kim did bounce back nicely at LIV Hong Kong and put together a stunning final round 65, that gave spectators a glimpse of the player they once knew and loved.
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