SINGAPORE - Anthony Kim’s golf career fizzled out as quickly as it caught fire.

In 2006, Kim was touted as the game’s next big thing. With his flashy belt buckles emblazoned with his initials “AK” – the swashbuckling Kim, then 21, had a swagger about him that was matched by his performances on the course.

On his PGA Tour debut, he finished joint-second at the 2006 Texas Open.

Fans were captivated by the young upstart from California, who looked set to take over the mantle from Tiger Woods.

He repaid their faith by picking up two Tour wins in 2008, the first American under the age of 25 to do so since Woods himself, then 24, in 2000.

At the Ryder Cup that year, “AK mania” reached a peak when Kim defeated veteran Sergio Garcia 5 & 4 in the Sunday singles to help the United States lift the trophy.

But the rising star faded shortly after, as injuries hit and he spiralled down another path. He lost himself in a life of extravagant parties as he battled addiction and mental health issues.

At the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship, Kim withdrew after shooting an opening-round, two-over 74. He was never seen on the PGA Tour again.

Kim told The Straits Times in an interview: “I was in a bad mental place. My mental health was deteriorating every day whether I played golf or not. I wanted to experience everything too quickly.

“I didn’t know what to do with the advantages you get when you play professional golf for a living.

“Some people can handle parties, drinking and move on without thinking about it, not get addicted to anything and live a good life.

“But I’m not one of those people. When I do something, I do it 100 per cent. As great of a strength, that is also an Achilles heel.”

For the next decade, Kim continued to struggle with his addictive personality. It was not until 1½ years ago that he decided to turn his life around.

In 2022, Kim, who has a two-year-old daughter, Bella, woke up in a hospital bed in the United States. The doctors told him that he might not have long to live, though he did not want to disclose details.

“I looked at my daughter and I felt so much guilt and shame. I brought her into this world and I was, you know, in that kind of shape. So I decided, now’s the time to turn my life around,” the 38-year-old said.

“You only get one life. She inspired me. My wife inspired me and my mum inspired me to be a better person and it’s never too late to make change.”

Kim sought professional help from a therapist and golf came back into the picture about eight months ago. His wife, Emily, wanted to pick up the sport and it reignited his interest.

In February, he announced his return to professional golf with LIV Golf. He has since played in four LIV events on a wildcard, coming last in all but one, finishing 50th in Hong Kong.

At the May 3-5 LIV Singapore tournament, he is currently two-over in 46th spot after rounds of 69 and 75.

Even after a 12-year absence from the sport, including seven years without touching a golf club, Kim remains confident he can return to his best.

“If the kind of struggles I’ve been through taught me anything, it’s to be patient. At some point, things will click,” he said.

“I think I’m at 60 per cent (of my best) right now. 1,000 per cent I can be back at 100 per cent.”

His drive is a result of his father Paul, whom he has a love-hate relationship with – the latter used to throw away his second-place trophies.

He once stopped speaking to his father for two years. The senior Kim taught him to “go for everything 100 per cent and not be scared of any situation” and the advice proved to be a double-edged sword as it contributed to his once lavish lifestyle.

He added: “I would have done everything differently. I realised that mistakes are made without you even knowing and, by that time, it’s too late to reverse that error.”

No longer golf’s boy wonder and prodigal son, Kim has ditched his “AK” belt buckles. The competitive spirit, however, remains.

“In my brain, I’ve always remembered that I’m not afraid to play against anybody in golf or anybody in any sport.

“The long-term goal is to start winning golf tournaments. I’d like to play for a few more years and just enjoy showing my daughter the world.”

Till today, Kim holds the record for the most birdies in a single round at Augusta National – 11 in the second round at the 2009 Masters.

A return to golf’s biggest stage is the target. Kim added: “With enough good play, I think that could become the next goal.”