Anthony Kim aims thinly-veiled dig at PGA Tour after draft LIV Golf merger agreement signed.
Anthony Kim’s loyalties now lie with LIV Golf, and the American star appeared to take a shot at the PGA Tour over its proposed agreement with their Saudi rivals
Anthony Kim appeared to aim a dig at the PGA Tour’s change in heart, after the American-based circuit’s deal with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) gathered pace this week.
Heading into the U.S. Open, Fire Pit Collective’s Alan Shipnuck reported that a draft agreement between the PGA Tour and PIF setup had been signed, one year one from the initial shock framework agreement announcement. The deal is expected to bring to an end the Tour’s ongoing fallout with LIV Golf.
One former PGA Tour star who now plays his golf on the Saudi-backed circuit is Kim, after the American made a surprise return to competing after almost 12 years away from professional golf.
In the aftermath on the draft agreement reports, Kim took to social media on Friday to have his say, appearing to point aim at the Tour’s decision to u-turn on PIF’s involvement in the game. “Good morning on a positive note read a draft agreement has been signed between @pgatour & @livgolf_league,” he tweeted
“So my question is are all the people against liv now ok w[ith] money from the Middle East? Have a great day.” One of the biggest chapters in the PGA Tour-LIV saga was no doubt the signing of Kim earlier this year, after the 38-year-old had not featured since 2012.
Kim had announced himself as one of golf’s biggest rising stars towards the end of the 2000s, winning three times on the PGA Tour and making the 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup team. In 2012 however, the American’s campaign was plagued by a number of injury issues, with his last outing coming that year at the Wells Fargo Championship where he was forced to withdraw.
Almost 12 years on, Kim made a shock return to the top of the golfing pyramid, signing as one of LIV’s two wildcards for the 2024 campaign. Speaking about his move to the LIV setup came about, he said in April: “Well, first of all, when Greg [Norman] and I spoke before I made the decision to come to LIV, he talked about how he wanted me to be around my family and to feel supported.
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“Not feel like I’m an island and you walk by everybody and you to the extent say hello. I’m not saying everyone on this tour is best friends, but there’s definitely a lot of support out here. My family has been treated world-class by everyone, whether it be Jane and the media team, Greg, Jed, all those guys have been amazing. It’s easy to reach out to them and get support.”
