Greg Norman issues brutal LIV Golf response after Anthony Kim’s mortifying debut

Anthony Kim made his LIV Golf debut in Saudi Arabia this week but, after 12 years away from competing, rust around his game during the opening round was clear to see

Greg Norman had little sympathy for Anthony Kim on his LIV Golf debut, after the former world No. 6’s opening round included a top at the second hole and a shank at the fifth.

Kim is making his first competitive start in 12 years, after entering golfing exile thanks to a string of injuries at the beginning of the last decade. The 38-year-old was forced to pull out of the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship – his third withdrawal in a row – due to injury, and had not been since.

After over a decade away you could excuse Kim for having a slight bit of rust on the first tee, but he did not show it, striping his tee shot down the middle of the par-five 18th following the shotgun start. What followed however was less than ideal, as the American topped his second effort right, before going on to make a bogey.

The mishit left those on commentary duty in shock, with on course-reporter Dom Boulet claiming: “[Kim] topped it apparently that is what Graeme McDowell told me.” It was later revealed that Kim was apparently put off by on overhead drone covering the action, something he had previously not experienced amid his hiatus away from golf.