Anthony Kim reveals that he was so detached from golf that he was only vaguely aware of Tiger Woods’ Masters win in 2019 as former prodigy opens up on his 12-year exile before LIV Golf return: ‘I’m learning as I go’

Anthony Kim has revealed the extent of his exile from golf, claiming he was only vaguely aware of Tiger Woods’ miraculous victory at the 2019 Masters.

The 38-year-old, who spent about 12 years away from the game before returning earlier this year, was also unaware until this week that fellow LIV golfer Brooks Koepka won back-to-back majors during an incredible career from 2017-2019.

Several rule changes were also introduced without Kim realizing it.

The American was a prodigy, winning three times on the PGA Tour, before mysteriously disappearing from the professional game. This week, Kim revealed the struggles he endured, which included multiple surgeries and addiction.

He made a long-awaited return to golf at the $20 million LIV Golf event in Jeddah last month. While he was away, Woods captured his 15th major title, triumphing at Augusta when he was 43 years old.

Woods won his 15th major title in 2019, triumphing at Augusta when he was 43 years old.

“I definitely heard it happened, but going through some of the things I’ve been through in my life, I wasn’t focused on golf,” Kim revealed Thursday.

‘I didn’t care about someone who won a golf tournament. “There are so many other big problems going on in the world that golf is such a small part of them.”

Speaking ahead of the LIV event in Florida this week, Kim also revealed how Dustin Johnson briefed him on Koepka’s notable career at the Majors, when he won successive PGA Championships (2018, 2019) and US Opens (2017, 2018). .

“I think I probably watched nine holes of golf when I wanted to fall asleep, but I didn’t watch much golf,” Kim said. ‘I found out yesterday from DJ, during a practice round, that Brooks won back-to-back Majors, which is incredible. But I had no idea that was happening.

The American learned this week that Brooks Koepka won back-to-back major titles.

He added: “In fact, today I learned a new rule: DJ can practice swings out of danger and remove loose impediments from bunkers.”

The 38-year-old finished 11 shots behind the rest upon his return to Saudi Arabia last month.

“I know I should have done that in Saudi Arabia because I was in every bunker there was, but I didn’t. So I’m learning as I go,” he added.

‘As important as golf is and as important as winning and being in contention is, I just want to be in the right mental place. Life is too short to be very upset.’

Kim made a long-awaited return to golf at the $20 million LIV Golf event in Jeddah last month.

“I didn’t care about someone who won a golf tournament,” Kim said of Woods’ victory at Augusta.

Earlier this week, Kim detailed the dark times she went through over the past 12 years, which until now have been shrouded in mystery.

“Golf is important to me and it’s not important at the same time,” Kim said in a meeting. interview with LIV’s David Feherty.

‘I’ve had some very dark moments. I’ve had some very low moments. I felt very alone, even when there are a million people around. I needed to clear my head and figure out what my purpose was on this planet.’

In the video, which was posted to the LIV Golf app on Tuesday morning, Kim revealed that “it wasn’t that long ago” that she started hitting balls. Three months, in fact, around the same time he got the call from LIV CEO Greg Norman.