‘It was a rough week’: Kim finishes 32 strokes off lead in professional golf return

Anthony Kim’s first professional golf appearance in more than a decade went as well as many expected, with the American finishing last at the LIV tournament in Jeddah.

Kim, once ranked sixth in the world, disappeared from the game before turning 30 but is trying to return with LIV Golf. His round of 74 on Sunday included two birdies and was his best of the tournament, but he still finished 32 strokes behind the winner, Joaquin Niemann.

“It was obviously a tough week,” Kim said after Sunday’s round. “I’m excited to be playing professional golf again, and I feel quite blessed to have this opportunity.”

The 38-year-old signed a wildcard deal with LIV, meaning he will not be part of any of the teams taking part in the tour. But LIV’s no-cut format means he is guaranteed a payday and will play in next week’s tournament in Hong Kong before returning to the US for his first professional tournament on home soil since 2012.

“I definitely hit the ball well,” Kim said, “and I do a lot of things well. I know the scores don’t reflect that.”

Niemann received $4 million for his win and made a joke about the world rankings in his interview with LIV’s broadcast team. He was asked if he was one of the main favorites to win a major this year.

“How is that possible? I’m like 100 in the world,” Niemann said with a grin.

Niemann is number 72 in the world. The Official World Golf Ranking, in a vote of the organizations that run the majors, has chosen not to award LIV ranking points due to the small field (54 players) that functions like a closed shop without qualifying.