Anthony Kim’s stint at LIV Golf was as difficult as he expected, especially after a 12-year competitive hiatus.
“I think the first year I was just trying not to shake the ball,” Kim said this week at the LIV Promotions event in Florida. “It obviously took a few months before I actually played my first event, so expectations weren’t high, even though I know what I’m capable of. I think after two years of practice and competitive golf, I’ve found my foundation.”
In two years at LIV, Kim achieved zero top 20 finishes and found himself relegated after this season. But the former world number 6 did put in some good golf this fall when he scored three straight on the Asian Tour, including a T5 at the Saudi International. Kim arrived at the LIV Promotions event this week hoping to earn one of the three available spots in the breakaway as he eyes a return to a place he hasn’t been in 15 years: a major championship.
“The goal is to play at the highest level again,” said Kim. “I think when you play major championship winners week after week, it forces you to get better, and it prepares you better for the majors. I’ve played in a few majors myself, so I’m looking forward to getting back out there.”
Kim was exempt for the second round of the LIV Promotions event at Black Diamond Ranch, but had to make a clutch putt on the 18th hole to secure his spot on the weekend.
“I played a lot of golf,” Kim said. “My perspective on life has changed. My perspective on golf has changed. It would obviously be a great feeling to return to LIV and qualify. But this is not the only thing left for me. I have a lot of things I want to do in the future. Also be competitive in golf, but there is so much more to life than just golf. I look forward to playing my best in the coming years.”
The scores reset after round 2, giving Kim a fresh start and the opportunity to focus on a new life on LIV. He fired a third-round 66 that left him at four under and tied for second place along with South Africa’s Oliver Bekker and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond.
One shot behind is a former DP World Tour winner, who, like Kim, has gone from rising star to golfing footnote in Lucas Bjerregaard.
The 34-year-old Bjerregaard was a star amateur before winning the Portugal Masters in 2017. In 2018, Bjerregaard defeated Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. That year he reached No. 42 in the Official World Golf Rankings and had top-25 finishes at the Masters, PGA Championship and Open Championship. The following season, Bjerregaard defeated Tiger Woods at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.
But Bjerregaard fell out of form, struggled with back injuries and is now ranked 468th in the world. But he believes LIV could be just what he needs as he tries to get back into top form while at a different stage of his life.
“The last few years have definitely been tough for myself and the family,” Bjerregaard said via LIV Golf. “My relationship with the game is probably a little different now than it used to be.
“The last three or four years I haven’t been playing or wrestling that well. There’s been a lot of traveling and a lot of feeling alone in hotel rooms and stuff. LIV seems to be the opposite of that. So that seems very attractive to me.”
Three spots in LIV are at stake on Sunday at Black Diamond Ranch. For leader Richard T. Lee and other journeymen, 18 holes can change everything.
For Kim and Bjerregaard, 18 holes are just the next step in their respective golf comebacks, regardless of the outcome.
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