Anthony Kim - Battled injuries, addiction away from pro golf - ESPN

Golfer Anthony Kim battled numerous injuries, including spinal fusion surgery, addiction and «very dark demons» during his nearly 12-year hiatus from professional golf before returning to the LIV Golf League earlier this year.

In an interview with David Feherty that was published on LIV Golf Plus on Tuesday, Kim revealed details of his long road back to professional golf. He is scheduled to play in his first LIV Golf League tournament in the U.S. at Trump National Doral outside Miami on Friday.

«Golf is important to me and not important to me at the same time,» Kim told Feherty. «I've had some very dark moments. I've had some very low moments. I've felt very alone, even when there's a million people around. I needed to get my mind straight and figure out what my purpose was on this planet.»

Kim, 38, was a three-time winner on the PGA Tour from 2008 to 2010 and competed on U.S. Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams. At the height of his career, the former Oklahoma star was ranked sixth in the world.

In May 2012, Kim withdrew after the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. He had surgery to repair his left Achilles tendon the next month and never played on the PGA Tour again.

Kim told Feherty that he later had surgeries on his hand and shoulder and a spinal fusion procedure, which Tiger Woods had in 2017. Kim said he didn't leave his house much and had six dogs and two monkeys living with him at one point.

After the Achilles tendon injury, Kim collected at least part of a disability insurance policy that was reportedly worth $10 million to $20 million. He didn't provide Feherty with details of the settlement. Kim said he is participating in a documentary about his life.