Anthony Kim, in a social media post celebrating two years of sobriety, says he’d used drugs and alcohol to “numb the pain,” was able to hide it and that “it’s f-ckin hard playing majors making porta potty stops every few holes.”

The current LIV Golf pro and three-time PGA Tour winner also wrote that he considered “ending my life” for almost two decades. 

“I decided to give my life 1 last shot,” he wrote. 

Last March, with LIV, Kim played his first event after a 12-plus year departure from pro golf and a public-facing life. He’s back with the circuit this year.  

His disappearance was stunning to golf followers. Before it, the now-39-year-old had won on the PGA Tour, was part of the winning Ryder Cup team in 2008, and, in 2009, recorded a Masters single-round record 11 birdies — but in June of 2012, Kim underwent surgery on his left Achilles tendon, then publicly vanished. According to reports, he’d accepted an insurance-policy payment that paid him at least $10 million, and maybe much more, but prevented him from playing tournament golf.

In terms of results, Kim’s return has been mostly flat. In his first tournament back, he shot 76, 76 and 74 to finish last by 11 shots. His highest showing in 11 tournaments in 2024 was 36th out of 54, which is the standard size of LIV’s fields. In two tournaments this year, Kim has tied for 49th and tied for 51st. 

Details on what he did in the gap between his play remain largely unknown, though he’s previously talked about his fight with addiction. His post on Thursday also offered detail on it, and below is the complete, unedited text.

“2 years sober … biggest accomplishment of my life. I was barely physically able 2 walk in2 REHAB needing assistance from my sober coach as my body was shutting down. The 1st pic is of wat I had 2 take twice a day 2 safely withdraw & the rest is of my time getting visits from my fam & the month after staying close 2 the rehab facility & the last few R pics over the last year. Not long b4 this moment I contemplated ending my life everyday for almost 2 decades even while playing @pgatour when I 2 the public seemed happy while struggling w addiction & mental illness. This post isn’t 2 tell every1 to get sober but 4 people who r letting addiction ruin their lives as I did that u can turn ur life around. Everyday I chose drugs & alcohol 2 numb the pain I felt no matter wat happened in my professional life & I got so good at hiding it that I lost who I was. It’s f-ckin hard playing majors making porta potty stops every few holes. 

“With the support & encouragement during the rehab process of my daughter BELLA my wife @emilybstanley some amazing friends @scum13cool @christopherbarmstrong @crichlegal @themrkicks & MR T.H. & a few others I decided to give my life 1 last shot. In REHAB I found faith, self love& respect & purpose. I am not proud of who I was but I am 2day. 1 of the many things I realized is how gr8ful we all need 2 B 4 what we have now & 2 spend time w REAL friends bcuz tomorrow is not guaranteed. I promised myself when I was in the ER for 6 days that I would do everything I could 2 make a difference 2 show my daughter that it’s never too late 2 keep trying.I am currently working on a few things that I know will change peoples lives including a website where I will B sharing both good & bad experiences that hopefully others struggling can learn from. I am so incredibly blessed 4 partners like @excrgolf @livgolf_league @bianchet_watches that believe & support my purpose is bigger than just golf but about helping others. Also just as importantly I wanna thank EVERYONE that supports me and my family. My journey is far from over some gr8 golf is loading & my motto of 1% better one day at a time is how I am going to live 4 the rest of my life. Lesssgetit”

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