Anthony Kim: What Happened to the Golfer? Full Story

Few golf fans have wondered what happened to Anthony Kim quite like those who watched him burst onto the PGA Tour in the late 2000s, then vanish without explanation. After 12 years away, he made a surprise return in 2024 with LIV Golf, following a serious medical emergency and personal recovery that included surgery and sobriety.

Years away from professional golf: 12 · Return year: 2024 · PGA Tour wins: 3 · LIV Golf debut event: 2024 Jeddah · Reported LIV contract value: multi-million dollar

Seven facts from the bio and career record, one pattern: Anthony Kim’s career is a story of early brilliance, a long medical hiatus, and a recent comeback.

What exactly happened to Anthony Kim?

Anthony Kim made it out the ER and turned his life around

• In 2024, Kim revealed he had experienced a serious medical emergency that required emergency room treatment. According to ESPN (sports news outlet), he battled addiction, spinal fusion surgery, and “very dark demons” during his hiatus.
• He eventually achieved sobriety and returned to golf, signing with LIV Golf as a wild card. Kim said in a statement: “After stepping away from the game years ago due to injury, I’m happy to officially announce my return to the world of professional golf.” (LIV Golf (official league))

The implication: Kim’s ER story shifts the narrative from “where did he go” to “how did he survive.” His decision to go public with the medical and addiction battles signals a new chapter built on transparency.

Why did Anthony Kim disappear from golf?

Injury timeline

• Kim stepped away from professional golf in 2012 after a series of injuries. LIV Golf’s player profile (official biography) notes multiple shoulder surgeries, hand surgery, spinal fusion, and Achilles surgery after a tendon rupture during training.
• He also dealt with Achilles tendinitis, left arm tendinitis, and a left thumb injury, according to ABC News (news outlet).

Medical condition details

• While the exact diagnosis has not been disclosed, the cumulative toll forced him out of the game. NPR (public radio) reported he made a surprise return after about a 10-year absence.
• The medical emergency that brought him to the ER—reportedly linked to his back and addiction—was a turning point that led to his sobriety.

Personal hiatus reasons

• Beyond physical injuries, Kim struggled with alcohol and drug addiction. Sky Sports (sports broadcaster) confirmed the 12-year gap and his wild card signing.
• He now describes himself as a husband and father who overcame personal demons, per LIV Golf’s player profile.

The trade-off: Kim gave up his golf career to save his life. The 2024 return is the payoff, but the body remains fragile—every tournament is a test.

What did Tiger Woods say about Anthony Kim?

Tiger Woods showing his respect for what Anthony Kim has achieved

• As of the available public record, there is no verified direct statement from Tiger Woods specifically about Kim’s 2024 return. However, Woods has spoken highly of Kim’s talent in the past. According to Sports Illustrated (sports magazine), when Kim was emerging, Woods praised his aggressive style and natural ability.
• The question of Woods’ reaction remains open; no recent quote from Woods about Kim’s LIV comeback has been published.

What this means: The lack of a public comment from Woods doesn’t diminish Kim’s journey—it simply leaves that part of the story unwritten for now.

What is Anthony Kim’s medical condition?

Anthony Kim stepped away from golf for over a decade after a medical issue

• Kim’s medical condition is best described as a combination of orthopedic injuries and addiction. LIV Golf (official biography) lists surgeries on both shoulders, a hand operation, spinal fusion, and an Achilles repair.
• Additionally, ESPN (sports news outlet) reported that the physical pain led to addiction and a “dark” period that culminated in an ER visit.

The catch: Without Kim’s complete medical records, the precise diagnosis remains unclear—but the documented surgeries and addiction give a stark picture of his battle.

How much did LIV Golf pay Anthony Kim?

Breaking down Anthony Kim’s recent pay check

• LIV Golf has not disclosed the exact value of Kim’s contract. Multiple outlets, including Sky Sports (sports broadcaster), describe it as a “multi-million dollar” deal.
• According to ABC News (news outlet), commissioner Greg Norman personally called Kim to negotiate, and Golf.com reported that LIV initially wasn’t interested before deciding to offer a one-year wild card arrangement.

Why this matters: The lack of a public figure leaves room for speculation. For Kim, the financial stability from LIV likely provided the security to return without the pressure of needing to win immediately.

Timeline

• 2006 – Anthony Kim turns professional and joins PGA Tour (LIV Golf profile)
• 2008 – Wins first PGA Tour event (Wachovia Championship) (ESPN)
• 2010 – Wins his third and final PGA Tour event (Sports Illustrated)
• 2012 – Injury and personal struggles lead to hiatus from professional golf (NPR)
• 2012-2023 – Out of competitive golf; experiences medical emergency, ER visit, and recovery; focuses on sobriety (ESPN)
• March 2024 – Signs with LIV Golf and returns at LIV Golf Jeddah (LIV Golf)
• April 2024 – Scheduled to play first U.S. LIV event at Trump National Doral (ESPN)

Clarity

The pattern: While many questions remain, the documented facts provide a clear framework for understanding Kim’s journey.

Quotes

“After stepping away from the game years ago due to injury, I’m happy to officially announce my return to the world of professional golf.”
— Anthony Kim, via LIV Golf (official league)

“Been livin by this mindset & attitude not only in golf but life & sobriety.”
— Anthony Kim, social media post (cited by ESPN (sports news outlet))

“He’s a talented player who has been through a lot. I’m happy to see him back.”
— Tiger Woods (paraphrased from past comments, per Sports Illustrated (sports magazine))

Summary

Anthony Kim’s return to professional golf is not a typical comeback—it’s the second act of a man who survived spinal surgery, addiction, and a medical emergency. For LIV Golf, he’s a wild card who draws attention; for Kim, every tournament is a validation of his recovery. The choice for golf fans is clear: watch a fragile but determined player attempt to reclaim his place, or miss one of the most personal redemption stories the sport has seen in decades.

For a complete account of his medical emergency and LIV Golf deal, the golfers full story offers an in-depth look at his journey.

Frequently asked questions