After shooting a four-over 74 on the first day of the International Series Macau event on the Asian Tour, Anthony Kim, who is back in the game, had another difficult day at work.
After competing in two LIV tournaments, the 38-year-old made a grand comeback to golf by taking part in a standard 72-hole event at Macau Golf and Country Club on the Asian Tour.
Commissioner of the PGA Tour Jay Monahan disclosed on Wednesday that he had discussed a comeback with Kim before to choosing to work for Greg Norman’s organization.
It’s obviously going to be tough for the American to catch up to his previous level of play after a 12-year absence from the game, and he may miss the cut in his first regular event back.
In Macau, Kim combined two birdies with four bogeys and a double to finish on four over, 11 strokes behind leader Haotong Li with just three players behind him in the standings.
In order to try and make the weekend in his first four-round tournament since the 2012 Wells Fargo at Quail Hollow, where he also shot 74 before withdrawing, Kim will need to put in some effort in his second round on Friday.
Kim withdrew from three consecutive PGA Tour events during a challenging period before to quitting professional golf, following a T66 result at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
Almost exactly a year ago, in March 2012, Kim shot 74-70 at the Transitions Championship at Innisbrook, missing the weekend. That was his last official missed cut.
After going into exile to play golf, Kim returned to the game at LIV Golf Jeddah, where he shot a “all world” shank and came dead last on 16 overs. However, in Hong Kong, he did display some signs of his former self.
Even though he only managed to finish 50th out of 54 on three overs, he did manage a brilliant 65 in the last round to suggest that his former form might still be present.
Anthony Kim
Kim will be brought back down to earth after a dismal first round in Macau, but he will be aiming to bounce back like he did in Hong Kong last week in his attempt to make the weekend.
Mito Pereira and Pat Perez lead the field in Macau at six under, just one stroke behind the leader. Patrick Reed and David Puig are in a large group at one stroke behind them.
Ian Poulter, who is five shots off the lead at two under, and Graeme McDowell, who is level par, will also have to fight to make the cut, among other notable players from the LIV Golf League competing this week.
Sergio Garcia’s two-over 72 in his opening round in Macau puts him much closer to missing out.
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