Anthony Kim is playing ‘better’, but a big LIV Golf question looms

Anthony Kim’s return to the professional golf world was difficult.

After nearly twelve years away from the professional game, Kim returned in 2024 as a “wild card” player for LIV Golf. Kim’s return provided initial excitement, but the 40-year-old struggled on the breakaway circuit. He failed to gain an individual point in two years and was relegated after finishing 55th in the individual rankings this season. An LIV franchise could still re-sign Kim. If he doesn’t, he will have the 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 is unsure of his playing plans for 2026.

“I just need to get more tournament reps in,” Kim said at the LINK Hong Kong Open. “If I can just keep improving, everything will be fine.

“I don’t think I will play as much Asian Tour as I thought [in 2026]. I’m going to play a few, but I’ll just see how it goes. I have no idea what my plans are for next year.”

Kim is one of several LIV golfers taking the shot in Hong Kong this week, with the winner earning a spot in the 2026 Masters and Open Championship. Although Kim is a long way off the 54-hole pace of leader Tom McKibbin, he opened with rounds of 68 and 67, marking the best 36-hole score since re-entering the professional golf scene.

“This is the best ball I’ve ever hit since I came back,” he said bunkered.co. “I just don’t have the ball in the hole. I’m finally seeing the work I’m doing. I’m excited.”

“I wish I could have scored a little bit better, but hopefully I can make it to the weekend and get a few more days. It’s only two days, but I hit the ball really well. It’s coming.”

Kim fired another 67 on Saturday and is currently ranked 46th in Hong Kong. Kim missed the cut at the International Series Philippines last week, but posted a T44 finish at the Jakarta International Championship earlier this month.

Last year, Kim opened up about his return to professional golf and the struggle to regain his previous form. After a 12-year absence, it would be unfair to assume that Anthony Kim would return as the same golfer or mand he was when he left.

“I’m still working on regaining the focus I need to make good shots and compete at the highest level,” Kim told GOLF.com’s Art Stricklin. “I have to focus on every shot, and there have been five to six shots per round that I haven’t been focused on, which has led to some bad holes. That’s where the momentum starts to shift, leading to big scores. That’s been the biggest thing for me.”

At LIV Miami, Kim noted that the biggest difference between Than And now is that he likes what he does.

“Even when I was playing well, I don’t think I liked golf,” Kim said last year. “Right now I’m really enjoying practicing, which has never happened before.”

Nearly two years after 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 elsewhere.