Anthony Kim is set to make his return to professional golf in under 24 hours’ time in LIV Golf Jeddah at Royal Greens Golf Club, Saudi Arabia.

The 38-year-old hasn’t played a competitive round of golf for over a decade due to injury and personal reasons, but as of earlier this week, made a shock return to the pro game by signing for LIV Golf as a Wild Card member for the rest of the season.

What was just as shocking though, was as he was getting ready to play in the pro-am on Thursday in Jeddah, was the fact he was only joined by one of his amateur playing partners – the other two were a no-show!

Semi awkwardly, he even asked bystanders and media surrounding the first tee “Does anyone want to join?”

Smiles from Danny Lee in seeing Anthony Kim on his way to first tee – Harry Grimshaw

(Personally, if I didn’t have to catch a flight tonight, my hand would have been straight up!) Surely the amateurs who didn’t turn up must have not realised who they were going to be paired with?! Any amateur would’ve bitten their hand off to get the opportunity to play with Anthony Kim.

Kim proceeded to ask his caddy at one point “What do I need? It’s been a while” as he genuinely rummaged through his pockets for a tee and a ball marker.

Remaining as cool as ever at the back of the first tee, waiting for the group in front to clear, he was still making friendly chit-chat with the starter and LIV staff.

For the third day in a row now, Kim has been kitted out in a plain white t-shirt, black gym shorts and today, personalised “one-of-one” golf shoes.

Looking similar to Nike Air Jordan’s at first glance, they in fact had an arrow where the Nike swoosh would be. On the sole, they were decked out with soft golf spikes and the words “Hole In One” printed on the bottom.

When it came to hitting his opening tee shot, it wasn’t what he had hoped for as he immediately jokingly asked for a mulligan, as his ball faded off right towards the water. Hopefully not a sign of things to come!

Kim tees off tomorrow at 11:15am local time alongside Cam Smith of Ripper GC and Graeme McDowell of Smash GC.

Images: Harry Grimshaw