Anthony Kim’s 12-year absence from golf explained after he wanted to be next Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods has always been a keen observer of the golfing world, and one player who left an indelible impression on him is Anthony Kim. With his distinctive choked-up grip on every club, Kim’s approach to swinging the golf club fascinated Woods like no other.

During a Nike golf clinic back in 2008, Woods expressed his admiration for Kim’s unparalleled control over his golf clubs, highlighting Kim as the only golfer he had ever seen adopt such a unique technique. Despite both players being Nike signature athletes at the time, they eventually went their separate ways from the brand.

Woods marveled at Kim’s ability to maintain precision and accuracy throughout his game, thanks to his unconventional grip. “He’s the only player I’ve ever seen that actually plays pretty much the entire bag choked up,” remarked Woods. “It does provide a lot of control; you don’t hit the ball as far offline. You hit the ball very straight that way.”

In contrast to Kim’s approach, Woods pointed out a common tendency among amateur golfers to grip the club differently, often influenced by misguided teachings. “It’s amazing that a lot of amateurs don’t try and do that,” Woods noted. “They like to grip the club like in baseball, with the pinky off the club because some pros have taught them that if you grip the very end of the club, you get more whip at the bottom.”

Kim, on his part, attributed his unique grip to his upbringing and early influences in the game, particularly learning from his father, akin to Woods. Recalling his childhood experiences, Kim revealed how using heavier clubs prompted him to grip down on the club, resulting in a more consistent swing.

After a hiatus of twelve years from professional golf due to injuries, including Achilles tendon surgery, Kim has decided to make a comeback to the sport. Despite facing setbacks with withdrawals and tournament cuts in his previous endeavors, Kim remains undeterred as he gears up to re-enter the competitive golfing arena.

Expressing his admiration for Tiger Woods and the impact he has had on his life and career, Kim acknowledged the transformative influence of Woods on the game of golf. “Golf wasn’t cool before Tiger Woods,” remarked Kim, emphasizing the profound effect Woods had in popularizing the sport. He further expressed his respect for Woods, both as a golfer and as a person, aspiring to emulate his exemplary conduct both on and off the golf course.

Kim’s return to professional golf comes under the banner of the 2024 LIV Golf season, as announced by the brand on social media. His eagerly anticipated comeback will commence at the LIV Jeddah tournament, where a substantial $25 million purse awaits contestants, with the event winner poised to claim a remarkable $4 million prize.

LIV CEO Greg Norman warmly welcomed Kim back to the sport and expressed the organization’s honor in facilitating his return. Norman highlighted Kim’s unique playstyle and expressed confidence in his potential to once again shine as a prominent figure in the world of golf.