After spending the last two years basically on his own while working to improve his game, Kim welcomes the opportunity to be part of LIV Golf’s unique team environment.
“To be perfectly honest, I’ve been kind of a lone wolf my whole life,” Kim said. “I think that’s why I enjoyed the few chances I got to be on a team. Super-excited about this opportunity. I want to be around these guys and looking forward to the rest of the year.”
Johnson believes that the support Kim will now have as part of the 4Aces will accelerate his return to the type of golf displayed during his most successful stretch between 2008-10 when he won four times.
“He’s been doing everything by himself,” Johnson explained. “By being on a team, playing with me and Thomas and Thomas – it’s only going to help. It’s pretty exciting to see him only getting better. From what I see from him, all the hard work he’s been putting in, it’s starting to show up.
“We’re excited to have him and obviously if he plays well, it’s a great story.”
Kim certainly seems like a good fit for a 4Aces club that dominated LIV Golf’s inaugural 2022 season with five wins in eight events – including the first Team Championship – while operating with a swagger and confidence as the league’s first dominant club.
“You know what’s funny? Reading through social media when I have time, there’s so many people that were speculating when you read through the comments that he was going to be the next Ace,” Rosaasen said of Kim. “To be honest, at the time we weren’t thinking it. But Dustin and I had dinner two nights ago and started talking about it.
“I think he [Kim] has it. One thing that was interesting that Pieters said as we were going through everything, he said Anthony has been on the biggest stage and he’s proved that he has it in his veins. We were looking at some young kids who were newly turned professionals. We want to get some younger talent, which we will have to eventually. But none of those kids are proven.
“Anthony has been a Ryder Cup star, he’s won multiple times on the biggest stages. I hadn’t really thought about it that way but it’s like, some people have it and some people don’t. And he definitely has it – and he’s trending upwards. So, we’re excited to bring him on the team and see what he can do.”
Although trending in a positive manner, Kim realizes the comeback is not fully complete.
“I’ve turned a corner as far as playing better golf rounds,” he said, “but I’m not where I want to be yet. I think I’m on my way. I’m still not where I need to be or where I’m capable of being. I think there’s a lot of upside to the rest of the year and the rest of my career.”