Anthony Kim has played himself into contention at the halfway stage of the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, and the American admitted his strong return to form is down to his rediscovered love of the game and “the hardest work” he has put in since he was a youngster.

Kim sits T3 at the halfway stage of the $US5million tournament, the final event on the schedule for The International Series. The top two players on The International Series Rankings will win promotion to the LIV Golf League for the 2026 season.

The 40-year-old was relegated from LIV Golf at the end of the season after a two-year run as a wild card, following 12 years away from the game. He currently sits 127th on the Rankings race with 13.46 points having played five tournaments so far this season, and with an elevated 324 points up for grabs at Riyadh Golf Club this week, there is a lot at stake for the former Ryder Cup player and the rest of the field.

Kim carded seven birdies in a bogey-free 64 that left him on 11-under at the halfway stage, behind Legion XIII youngster Caleb Surratt (-14) and Thomas Pieters of Belgium, the 4Aces GC player (-13).

Reflecting on his good form this week, Kim, a three-time PGA Tour winner, put things down to a lot of hard work off the course. He said: “I’m finally starting to see some of the work show. I haven’t been able to swing like I have been in practice rounds and back at home in tournament golf, but it is starting to show up and starting to feel more comfortable out here.

Anthony Kim.

“Hard work – this is the hardest I have worked since I was a little kid. I (have) fallen back in love with the game. I feel a lot of gratitude playing this game, getting to travel. We were in Dubai last week, in Saudi now. Just looking forward to the future.”

When talking about ‘falling in love with golf again,’ he revealed: “It means that I actually want to go to the golf course. I was so excited to leave the golf course when I had… you know, dealing with some of the mental illness and addiction issues. At this point I am excited to be here. I feel blessed to be here, and I am going to keep working as hard as I can.

“It is a lot easier when you start hitting fairways and making a few putts, absolutely. Getting kicked in the teeth every week over the last two years (on LIV Golf) playing against some of the major championship winners and some very successful players has been tough. I think I needed to be in that fire and I will be ready for the weekend.”

Asked if he had the title in his sights, a first since 2010, he said: “I am not too worried about that. That stuff used to matter to me. Right now I am just working on taking one shot at a time and make good golf swings and enjoy my time here in Saudi Arabia. I am not worried about where I am on the leaderboard until the last nine holes on Sunday. I know if I keep playing well, I will give myself a chance, and hopefully I’ll be close.”

Kim also revealed some wise words from his nearest and dearest helped him get in the right mindset. He said: “My wife told me that if I make less bogeys than birdies my score will be good, so I followed that direction well today!”

The PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers is the final event on The International Series schedule this year, and the third from last stop on the Asian Tour.

Pictures by Ian Walton/Asian Tour.