Anthony Kim’s return to the professional golf world has been rocky.
After spending nearly 12 years away from the professional game, Kim returned in 2024 as a “wild-card” player for LIV Golf. Kim’s return brought initial buzz, but the 40-year-old struggled on the breakaway circuit. He failed to earn an individual point in two years and was relegated after finishing 55th in the individual standings this season. A LIV franchise could still re-sign Kim. If he isn’t, he will have an opportunity to earn a spot in the LIV Promotions event, the date of which has not been announced by the league.
Kim could play on the Asian Tour, but he told bunkered.co that he’s not sure of his playing plans for 2026.
“I just need to get more tournament reps in,” Kim told bunkered at the LINK Hong Kong Open. “If I can just keep continuing to get better, I’ll be fine.
“I don’t think I’ll play as much Asian Tour as I thought [in 2026]. I will be playing some, but I’m just going to see how it goes. I have no idea what my plans are for next year.”
Kim is one of a number of LIV Golfers teeing it up this week in Hong Kong, with the winner earning a spot in the 2026 Masters and Open Championship. While Kim finds himself well off the 54-hole pace set by leader Tom McKibbin, he opened with rounds of 68 and 67, which marked the best 36-hole score since he re-entered the professional golf picture.
“It’s the best I’ve hit the ball since coming back,” he told bunkered.co. “I just haven’t got the ball in the hole. I definitely finally see the work I’m doing. I’m excited.
“I wish I’d have scored a little bit better but hopefully I make it to the weekend and get another couple days. It’s only been two days but I hit the ball really well. It’s coming along.”
Kim fired another 67 on Saturday and currently sits in 46th place in Hong Kong. Kim missed the cut at last week’s International Series Philippines, but did card a T44 finish at the Jakarta International Championship earlier this month.
Last year, Kim opened up about his return to professional golf and the struggles to regain his former form. After 12 years away, it would be unfair to assume that Anthony Kim would return as the same golfer or man he was when he left.
“I’m still working to regain the focus I need to hit good shots and compete at the highest level,” Kim told GOLF.com’s Art Stricklin. “I need to focus on every shot, and there have been five to six shots a round I haven’t been focused on, which has led to some bad holes. That’s where the momentum starts to shift, which leads to big scores. That’s been the number one thing for me.”
At LIV Miami, Kim noted that the biggest difference between then and now is that he likes what he is doing.
“Even when I was playing well, I don’t think I enjoyed golf,” Kim said last year. “Right now, I’m actually enjoying practicing, which is something that has never happened before.”
Nearly two years since his return, Kim finally feels like he’s starting to see the fruits of his labor. He believes his game is starting to come back; it’s just unclear where he’ll see the progress continue in 2026 — on LIV or somewhere else.
