The Syd Barrett of golf will perhaps return to the grand stage once again. ‘Perhaps’ because it’s Anthony Kim we are talking about. The three-time PGA Tour winner vanished after withdrawing from his last three outings in 2012. Nevertheless, as his comeback rumors gain momentum, be it on LIV Golf or PGA Tour, a practice video from a few years back resurfaced on the Internet. 

While tearing his Achilles tendon started it all, niggling injuries in the subsequent years became Kim’s metaphorical Achilles heel. Multiple surgeries have sidelined the Golf prodigy for a decade, but Kim’s swing is a sobering reminder that the PGA Tour Pro still has the chops even after quitting his Pro career.

Kim’s ‘pure’ swing raises comeback hopes

Monday Q Info posted a clip from Kim’s practice session on their official X (formerly Twitter) handle, captioning, “The swing is looking pureeeeeeee.” While no further details were made available, it came at a time when reports suggest that Kim has ramped up his practice. In fact, his swing coach, Adam Schriber, told the New York Times that Kim has “the same swing you remember.”

The video was first thought to be from one of his more recent outings. But later Kim’s friend confirmed to Monday Q Info, although not recent, it was from only a few years ago. The fact that Kim still had his signature swing long after quitting the game and going through multiple surgeries raises hope of a grand comeback.

Before injury threw a spanner in his career hopes, Anthony Kim set a birdie record at the 2009 Masters, cupping eleven, to post 65 in the second round. However, sightings of Kim have been very few and far between since his 2012 withdrawal. That, of course, has given rise to multiple rumors and earned him a place in golf lore. The Dallas native, though, didn’t want to give too much credence to these in his last interview.

Speaking in 2015, the veteran golfer was ambiguous in spelling out his future. But he clearly dispelled two stories. First, no, he was not sleeping rough. Two, his lucrative insurance, which stands at around $10 million, is not the reason why he retired at 26. Rather, Anthony Kim pointed out that he went through six to seven surgeries in the last few years, so it wouldn’t be wise to return to golf without healing his body. 

Since then, there have been rumors of his return. In 2021, Schriber posted a picture with the three-time PGA Tour winner, captioning, “2021 is going to be special.” Kim, however, didn’t step on the greens. But this time, multiple reports suggest that he might come back to the PGA Tour. 

The much-anticipated Second Coming of Kim

12 years, and it seems nothing has changed. Anthony Kim can just rotate the clock at his will. Kim’s caddie, Eric Larson, told the Times that the 38-year-old knows what his fans want. Responding to the suggestion that he must return to the greens, Kim told Larson, “That’s what everybody wants me to do!’

Read More: “Can’t Wait”: Tiger Woods’ Cheerleader Michael Phelps Sides With Anthony Kim for His Dramatic Return After 12 Years

The PGA Tour is also looking forward to his second coming. “There’s no reason why we wouldn’t welcome him back if that’s what he wants to do,” Bunkered quoted an anonymous insider source. The PGAT source also confirmed that Anthony Kim will be eligible to tee up at some events in the past champions’ category. Moreover, sponsors might look forward to offering him an exemption to cash in on his immense popularity. So, the ball now is on Kim’s tee. Can he hole it out?

Watch This Story | LIV Golf News: 3 Major Takeaways as the $3B PGA Tour-PIF Merger Gets Extended, Per Reports