Getty
Anthony Kim won the 2026 LIV Golf Adelaide.
Exactly 5,795 days have passed — nearly 15 years — but Anthony Kim is back in the winner’s circle of professional golf. The player, once compared to none other than Tiger Woods, has thus crowned his extraordinary comeback after more than a decade away from the sport.
Kim’s victory was even more emotional because it took place in Adelaide, Australia, considered by far the most popular LIV Golf event. To top it off, the American had to overcome a five-stroke deficit behind Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, the leaders after 54 holes.
Anthony Kim Wins LIV Golf Adelaide
GettyAnthony Kim overcame a five-shot deficit to win the 2026 LIV Golf Adelaide
The three-time PGA Tour winner rose to the occasion and fired a final-round 63 with nine bogey-free birdies. Rahm scored a 71 to finish solo second, while DeChambeau fell short of expectations with a 74 that put him in a tie for third.
“Obviously, Bryson and Jon have proven themselves as major championship caliber winners, Ryder Cup players, and have consistently played well for a long time, so I have a tremendous amount of respect for them. I knew it was going to be an uphill battle today, and I got putts to go my way,” he said about his main contenders during his winner’s press conference.
Kim had carded rounds of 67, 67, and 68 during the first three rounds of the tournament, placing him third before the final round. It was his first time playing among the leaders since resuming his professional career in 2024.
A Comeback for the History Books
The 40-year-old joined LIV Golf with a wild card two seasons ago, repeating the formula in 2025. Although he showed some promise during that period, his results were consistently unremarkable.
At the end of 2025, he was relegated from the league, and with the new rule preventing relegated players from freely returning, Kim competed for a contract through the LIV Golf Promotions. This marked the beginning of a new era of strong results, as he secured his return by finishing third in the event.
Kim then finished T22 at LIV Golf’s season-opener in Riyadh, his best result in the league to that point. He was later signed by the 4Aces GC to replace Patrick Reed, a move that set the stage for his breakthrough victory this week in Australia.
An Emotional Moment
GettyAnthony Kim said that winning in Adelaide was the second-best moment of his life, surpassed only by his daughter’s birth.
Naturally, it was a very emotional moment for Kim, who had to deal with drug and alcohol abuse during his time away from professional golf. In his moment of triumph, he didn’t forget those who may be suffering the same challenges he had to overcome:
“For anybody that’s struggling, you can get through anything,” he said during an interview on the 18th green after his victory.
Kim began his professional career in 2006 and was immediately recognized as one of the sport’s most talented young players. In 2007, he joined the PGA Tour, winning three times, most recently at the 2010 Shell Houston Open. Until 2011, he finished in the top 10 three times in major championships, including a third-place finish at the 2010 Masters Tournament. He also competed in the 2008 Ryder Cup and the 2009 Presidents Cup, winning both.
An Achilles tendon injury in his left leg forced him to undergo surgery in 2012. This marked the end of his golf career until his surprise return in 2024.
Julio Valdera Julio Valdera is a sports writer specializing in golf coverage for Heavy Sports. He has reported on the sport across major international tours, delivering breaking news, event analysis, and player-focused storytelling. Before joining Heavy, he covered golf for Newsweek and Sportskeeda, building a reputation for clear, engaging reporting and a strong command of the game’s competitive landscape. His broader journalism experience spans technology, politics, and international events. More about Julio Valdera
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