"My goals are the same as they were when I first joined LIV," Kim said in Adelaide.
"It's to get one per cent better every day, stay sober, enjoy time with my family - and whatever happens, happens, because all I can do is try my best."
Whatever happened in Thursday's opening round at LIV Golf's Adelaide tournament, Kim knows it's no guarantee to happen again.
The 40-year-old shot a stellar five-under 67 at the Grange and is one stroke shy of the leaders, Australia's Marc Leishman and American drawcard Bryson DeChambeau.
Kim, a precocious talent who burst onto the global golf scene when turning pro in 2006, was cut from LIV's roster at the end of last season.
But the Californian scraped back on to the breakaway tour by finishing third in LIV's promotion event last month to earn wildcard status.
Now, he's been promoted again: from wildcard to a member of Dustin Johnson's 4Aces GC team.
"Just being around guys that I want to hang out with off the golf course is the reason I chose to be on a team, because obviously I had an option to stay wildcard," he said.
Kim's golf rollercoaster pales when compared to his off-course life.
He has shunned his past self: a wild lifestyle of drug and alcohol dependence, and suicidal thoughts.
In 2014, Kim - a Ryder Cup champion; three-time winner on the US PGA Tour; former world No.6; holder of the record for most birdies in a round at the US Masters (11) - quit golf entirely, not even playing recreationally.
Now, he feels blessed just being alive.
At the age of 40, and sober for three years, does his LIV Adelaide opening round rekindle feelings of his 23-year-old self, the age at which he won his first PGA Tour title?
"What I'm doing better is using my experience and my age to my advantage on the golf course," he said.
"I'm more patient out there.
"Do I want to break 12 clubs some rounds? Absolutely. But I'm focusing on the next shot.
"People told me in my early 20s that that is what I should be doing. And I don't know if it was arrogance or confidence that I didn't want to listen.
"But I'm playing smarter. I'm staying more patient.
"I really want nothing to do with that 20-something-year-old kid.
"I want to be right where I am. I'm very blessed to have an amazing family and be alive. This is awesome."
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