Anthony Kim’s Triumphant Return Out of a Dark Time
Anthony Kim’s saga of triumph, adversity, and resurgence offers a compelling narrative yet to be fully unveiled. “The Journey Back,” a recent LIV Golf documentary featuring David Feherty, scratches the surface but leaves audiences yearning for more depth.
Kim, a golf sensation in the early 2010s known for his PGA Tour victories and remarkable performances at the Ryder Cup and the Masters, mysteriously exited the sport following an Achilles surgery in 2012 and remained absent until a surprising return at a LIV Golf event in Hong Kong.
While he dispels the rumor of leaving golf for an insurance payout, he reveals little about his decade away from the spotlight, mentioning only his recovery from numerous surgeries and a recovery period spent with six dogs and two monkeys.
This 20-minute documentary, designed more as a promotional piece for LIV Golf than an in-depth exploration of Kim’s challenges, introduces significant aspects of his life only to briefly touch upon them. Feherty, a man familiar with personal battles, initiates a conversation that begs for continuation. Kim reflects on the whirlwind of fame and its challenges, admitting to a past overwhelmed by negative influences and an addictive personality.
“I was around some bad people,” he says. “People that took advantage of me. Scam artists. When you’re 24, 25, even 30 years old, you don’t realize the snakes that are living under your roof.”
He hints at a transformative period, catalyzed by his wife and 2-year-old daughter, which led to a newfound appreciation for golf and life.
Despite the physical and mental scars, Kim views his current circumstances as a platform for inspiration, aiming to motivate others facing their dark phases.
“My mistakes are the reason I fell into this deep hole,” Kim says. “I hope that I can inspire somebody to dig out of a hole. If they don’t see light at the end of the tunnel, hopefully they find some strength in the people around them and they can get out of it.”
The Journey Back” sets the stage, Kim’s story of resilience remains ripe for a deeper dive. The documentary, starting conversations at the LIV Golf event in Miami, promises the potential for a richer, more revealing narrative in the future.