Anthony Kim Is Returning—Maybe?

Anthony Kim has been a golf celebrity for years even though he hasn’t played in a professional tournament since 2012. His combination of talent, swag, style, and infectious personality made him one of the most popular players on the PGA Tour while he was active. But a hand injury forced him to step away from the game and cash in on a hefty injury insurance policy over a decade ago. On Tuesday, though, social media exploded when Dylan Dethier broke the news that the now 38 year-old Kim was mulling a return to either the PGA Tour or LIV.

According to Dethier’s report, a sticking point remains the reported $10 million insurance policy, which Kim would have to pay back if he returned to professional golf. Kim became a star on the PGA Tour, winning three times and providing a number of memorable moments such as his 11 birdie outburst during the 2nd round of the 2009 Masters. And if he were to return to the Tour, he would receive status as a past champion but no guaranteed money. LIV, on the other hand, could offer Kim a contract which would pay him an amount worth a portion, or the entirety, of the insurance policy. On top of that, Kim would be playing in no-cut events with massive purses in which last place pays out hundreds of thousands of dollars. From a business point of view, LIV presents the less risky play for a player who has been out of the game for a long time. Kim was a world-class talent but it’s been 12 years since we last saw him play. The game has changed dramatically since 2012. When Kim burst on the scene in 2006, he was a part of a new era of young, fast-swinging players, a precursor to Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy. But now he’s 38 and the game has continued to advance while he has sat out. How much rust will he need to shake off? And will his skills still be elite?

The allure of an Anthony Kim return will be tremendous. I, for one, will be glued to the TV if he returns to golf on either tour. But it’s hard to believe that he will return to the game as a world-class player when we have seen Tiger Woods struggle after 1-2 year layoffs, not 12 year layoffs. The thing is: in sports, legends defy the odds. Here’s to hoping Anthony Kim is playing—and playing well—somewhere next year.

This piece originally appeared in the Fried Egg Golf newsletter. Subscribe for free and receive golf news and insight every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.