Anthony Kim has been predicted by bookmakers to have a greater chance of winning the LIV Golf Jeddah championship than legendary golfer Phil Mickelson, despite Kim’s prolonged absence from the sport.
Mickelson, renowned for his illustrious career with six major titles and 45 PGA Tour victories, has yet to achieve success on the breakaway circuit. Although the 53-year-old’s performance at LIV Chicago in 2022 resulted in a tie for eighth place, he still awaits his first win in the league.
Despite Mickelson’s diminished dominance over time, he remains a formidable opponent, as evidenced by his historic win as the oldest major champion at the 2021 PGA Championship.
Despite his illustrious career, Mickelson has been afforded slim odds of winning the title in Saudi Arabia this week, with bookmakers pricing him at 200/1. Surprisingly, his former Ryder Cup teammate, Anthony Kim, has been placed higher in the betting at 150/1, despite being away from competitive golf for 12 years.
After experiencing significant success in the late 2000s, Kim’s career was hindered by injuries, leading to an extended hiatus. In a surprising turn of events, he has now returned as a wildcard signing for the upcoming LIV Golf event in Saudi Arabia.
It remains to be seen how Kim will perform after such a long absence from the sport, but based on pre-tournament betting, he appears to have a better chance of winning than seasoned players such as Mickelson, Lee Westwood, and Martin Kaymer. Kim expressed his excitement about returning to professional golf, stating, “It’s been a long time coming, and I’m very grateful for all the highs, lows and lessons learned from the first part of my career. I want to compete with the best players in the world, and I’m on a mission to prove to myself that I can win again. The next step on that journey starts now, and I’m excited to give everything I’ve got this season on the LIV Golf League.”
LIV CEO Greg Norman warmly welcomed Kim’s return, affirming, “When I think of Anthony Kim, I can’t imagine a more perfect fit for what we’re trying to do. His talent is undeniable, and we are thrilled to welcome him back to professional golf with our league. It’s clear that he has the fire to win again and show why he was one of the most compelling players in the world, and we will support him on that mission as he works to earn his way back to the top of the game.”
For more news on various topics including the USA, visit The Mirror US.