[PHOTO: Francois Nel]
Apparently, Anthony Kim’s ragged first round in LIV Golf Jeddah was an indication of more rough play to come. For the second straight day, the 38-year-old coming off a 12-year absence from the professional game shot a six-over-par 76 and sits last among those heading into the final round in Saudi Arabia.
Kim opened his second round on the 15th hole at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club and was five-over for his first four holes, going bogey, bogey, double-bogey, bogey. Kim made his bogey at the 18th despite getting a fantastic break when his ball skipped across the water on his approach. He birdied the par-4 first, but that would be the only circle on his card. He made his second double at the par-4 third and finished the day with 11 straight pars.
Anthony Kim is struggling big time on LIV today and is 4 over through 3 holes. He just got the best break ever on 18, with his 3rd shot bouncing out the water too. He’s going to struggle to break 80 today. pic.twitter.com/UGvV6er1YN
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) March 2, 2024
LIV Golf did not provide quotes from Kim after his round.
With Matt Wolff having withdrawn because of illness after three holes in the second round, Kim is last in 53rd place at 12-over, nine shots behind the next-closest player, Ian Poulter, and a whopping 25 strokes back of leader Joaquin Niemann.
After a bogey-free six-under 64, Niemann, a recent Masters invitee, leads Charl Schwartzel (66) by two shots. Jason Kokrak is another stroke behind after shooting 62. Lucas Herbert – four shots off the pace in a tie for fifth – is the best-placed Australian with a round to play.
