Anthony Kim has endured plenty of lows over the past 12 months, but feels he's now on course to hit new highs.
American feels ready for best-ever season in 2012
Anthony Kim has endured plenty of lows over the past 12 months, but feels he's now on course to hit new highs.
Having burst on to the scene in 2006 by finishing second on his PGA Tour debut, the American was being talked about as one of the game's brightest young talents.
He cemented that reputation in 2008 as he won two PGA Tour events and played a leading role in helping the US to defeat Europe as they reclaimed the Ryder Cup at Valhalla.
However, Kim saw his progress blighted by a persistent thumb injury which required surgery and is only now beginning to hit the heights again.
The 26-year-old - who was at one stage as well-known for his love of a party as for his golf - concedes the injury tested him both mentally and physically, but believes he has subsequently developed into a more mature player and person.
"There have been a lot of low points both mentally and physically this past season," he told reporters ahead of this week's Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia.
"Golf is very important to me and even though I have fun with it, it's still something I look upon very seriously as I like to play well but unfortunately that was not the case this year.
Frustration
"It wasn't just the winning I was missing... it's just that I wasn't playing well and that was very frustrating.
"I had been working hard but had to take a month-and-a-half off and in doing so, that turned my game around. I don't how it happened but it did and I am looking forward to doing better."
Kim, who recently lost out in a sudden death play-off to Rory McIlroy in the inaugural Shanghai Masters, believes his enforced lay-off allowed him to take stock and put his life and career in perspective.
"I learned a lot about myself and I've had time to grow," he continued. "Mentally I am a lot tougher than I was because I just had to grind so much to make cuts and that's sometimes a lot harder than trying to win golf tournaments.
"So I have learned how to better manage my game and I feel like I am a better player now than I ever was.
"I've sort of wiped the slate clean ahead of starting next year but I also am going into 2012 feeling mentally stronger than I have ever been.
"While it has been a frustrating season for me but it's never as bad as it seems.
"The good thing is that I am starting to find my form and I'm excited to be able to just break 70 again as it didn't look like I could do that for a while.
"Of course, I would rather be playing this week at Royal Melbourne in Australia but I'm only 26 so hopefully I will have many more Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup appearances ahead of me."
