After a 12-year absence from the world of professional golf, Anthony Kim made his highly anticipated return on Friday at the LIV Jeddah tournament in Saudi Arabia. However, the comeback didn't go as smoothly as Kim had hoped, as he finished the first round with a 6-over 76, placing him last in the 54-player field.

Despite the disappointing score, Kim remained positive, stating that he played much better than the result reflected. He acknowledged making a number of unforced errors, but felt that he was not too far from finding his rhythm again.

The opening hole proved to be a stumbling block for Kim, as he bogeyed the par-5 18th. He managed to string together several pars, but encountered a distracting moment at the par-4 fifth hole when a drone interfered with his approach shot, leading to a shank. Kim would go on to bogey that hole as well.

Kim did show some signs of brilliance, sinking a 25-foot birdie putt at the following hole. However, he struggled on the next three holes, resulting in more bogeys. The 34-year-old golfer expressed disappointment in his iron game, as he typically considers it to be a strength.

It's worth noting that Kim's absence from competitive golf was mainly due to a left Achilles injury that forced him to withdraw from the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship. He underwent surgery a month later and remained out of the public eye ever since. Greg Norman, CEO of LIV Golf, has been supportive of Kim's return and believes that with time, the golfer will regain his previous form.

Kim's comeback has garnered much attention from fans and the golf community alike. Many have eagerly awaited his return to the sport, and despite the initial setback, there is optimism that he will soon find his groove. As Norman stated, once Kim regains his confidence, his natural talent will shine through and propel him to success.

The LIV Jeddah tournament continues, and it remains to be seen how Kim will fare in the remaining rounds. Regardless of the immediate outcome, this comeback marks a significant moment for Anthony Kim and his fans, as he takes the steps towards reclaiming his presence in professional golf.