THE MODERATOR: AK, Anthony Kim, welcome to the LIV Golf Promotions 2026. Great to see you out here. You returned to competitive golf after a long hiatus as has been chronicled. Saw some promising moments with LIV and with the International Series. You know, now, what have you taken from the past two seasons or years back in pro golf?
ANTHONY KIM: It's been a mix of some really bad holes and some good holes, but it's been a great experience being part of LIV and getting to travel the world and play some golf with my family in tow.
Looking forward to having a good week here and getting back out there.
Q. You're obviously quite familiar with the pace, pressure, expectations of LIV. What did the return the past two seasons reveal to you about where you want your game to be?
ANTHONY KIM: I think the first year I was just trying not to shank the ball. Obviously was a few months into golf before I really started getting to play my first event. So expectations weren't high, even though I know what I'm capable of. I think after two years of practicing and playing competitive golf I've started to find my footing. I think whether it's this week or next year, it'll show.
Looking forward to keep on working.
Q. How are you feeling early January 2026, right now, about your game and just, as you said, from where you were to where you are now and looking ahead? What's the state of your game right now?
ANTHONY KIM: Yeah, played well in Asia. Played better than I scored. A lot of golfers say that, but I've started to see a lot of promise in my golf game.
Played decent in Saudi.
Looking forward to this week. It's a 36-hole grind and we'll see what shakes out.
Q. What would earning one of those Top 3 spots this week mean to you?
ANTHONY KIM: I don't know. You know, I played a lot of golf in my life. My perspective on life has changed. My perspective on golf has changed. Obviously it would be a great feeling to make it back on LIV and qualify, but this isn't the only thing left for me.
I have a lot of things I want to do in the future and be competitive in golf also. There is so much more to life than golf, and looking forward to playing my best in the next couple years.
Q. You mentioned the experience with playing in Asia. I know you played a number of International Series events. What was that experience like, and with the obvious ties with LIV the top 10 finishers this week also get full exemption there next year.
ANTHONY KIM: Yeah, I think I'm qualified for the International Series next year. It was great. There is a number of LIV guys that play. It's gotten more competitive. You still have to play golf wherever you are, so I know that if I just keep working I'll get there.
Q. You've had an opportunity to see some of the course so far this morning. What's your impression thus far of Black Diamond Ranch?
ANTHONY KIM: It's a great golf course. When I was driving in I saw a couple bird boarding places so I didn't know what to expect, but once we entered the gates this place is in great shape and looking forward to a good test of golf.
Q. You obviously played the International Series event earlier and now International Series also offers a pathway into the majors. What are your thoughts on that?
ANTHONY KIM: Yeah, the goal is to get back to playing at the highest level. I think when you play against major championship winners week after week you're forced to get better and it prepares you more for the majors.
I've played in a few majors myself, so I'm looking forward to getting back out there.
Q. Anthony, golf at different levels, different times brings different pressures. You kind of mentioned it at the start, you were just trying not to shank the ball.
ANTHONY KIM: Yeah.
Q. What kind of pressure -- what's been the progress from wanting to not shank the ball to competing week in week out on LIV and now you kind of have to earn a card so to speak? How do you handle the different types of pressure and how do you not let it overwhelm?
ANTHONY KIM: Well, I think after some of my life experience over the last 20 years I don't think there is as much pressure as I would've felt before I went through those things. Obviously you have to play well. There is some pressure that you have to make a lot of birdies in the 36 holes you're playing.
But it's just golf. I'm blessed with a beautiful family. I have very supportive people around me. I mean, golf is important but I'm very happy with my life.
Q. And you kind of just touched on it, if you could elaborate. You said your perspective has changed on golf over the years. Happy with your life now. Can you compare 2005, 2008, whatever, to 20 years later?
ANTHONY KIM: I really can't. I'm a completely different person than I was. I've been forced as a husband and as a dad, and as somebody that I think people are relating to as far as struggling. I've got more to do in my life than golf.
So like I said, as important as golf is, I just want to keep working hard, staying sober, spending time with my family and doing all the things that are the most important things in my life.
Q. What's been the toughest part of getting back into Tour life over the last three years?
ANTHONY KIM: I don't think it's been tough getting back into Tour life. I think the golf has been the toughest. In golf even when you're getting better, sometimes you don't shoot the scores you're looking for.
After I left rehab one of my goals was to be outside more, and, I mean, practicing for ten hours a day you're outside all day. I'm very fortunate that my family gets to come with me and I get to see my daughter running around on the greens and running through the bunkers.
So I get the full experience and I'm so grateful that I have this opportunity.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports