[Photo: Brenton Edwards]

Disbelief remains the overwhelming reaction to Anthony Kim’s triumphant comeback victory on Sunday at LIV Golf Adelaide. After all, Kim’s return to professional golf in 2024, following a 12-year hibernation from the game, had essentially been a disappointment. In 24 LIV Golf starts across 2024 and 2025, Kim’s best individual finish was a 25th-place showing in Dallas last summer, and he had to go through LIV’s version of Qualifying School just to be able to play again in 2026.

But over the course of four days in Australia, posting a 23-under 265 in front of the biggest crowds LIV has to offer, beating LIV’s biggest stars in Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, the 40-year-old Kim changed everything regarding his legacy. The comeback many fans had hoped for finally materialised, albeit 22 months later than first expected.

So what’s the next chapter? With LIV Golf’s new arrangement with the Official World Golf Ranking, Kim earned 23.13 OWGR points, allowing him to jump from 847th to 203rd in the latest ranking. This massive move gives Kim the potential in the coming months to play his way into major championships in 2026.

The first on the horizon is the Masters, where Kim played three times previously, the last in 2011, and where he still memorably holds the record for most birdies in a round (11 in the second round in 2009). Kim would need to be in the top 50 in the OWGR the week prior to the Masters to earn an automatic invitation. With just three LIV events between now and then, continuing this rise might be a long shot, which is why some took to social media over the weekend to see if they could convince the powers that be at Augusta National that a special invitation is in order.

Beyond the Masters, the PGA of America typically invites the top 100 (and sometimes a few more) from the OWGR into the field for the PGA Championship under its special exemption category, giving Kim a chance to play at Aronimink Golf Club outside Philadelphia in May. The last of Kim’s five career PGA Championship starts came in 2011. Sentimentally, he might get a special look from the PGA of America after his mesmerising stint on the U.S. Ryder Cup team back in 2008.

Related: The clubs Anthony Kim used for his comeback victory at 2026 LIV Golf Adelaide

Next up is the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. The USGA is expected to release its official qualifying criteria this week, when it opens online entries on Wednesday. If it’s similar to last year, the USGA will offer an exemption through local and final qualifying for all those in the top 60 in the OWGR at a May cut-off and shortly before the championship in June. Additionally, the top point earners in LIV events in 2025 and 2026 who are not already exempt will also get in.

Lastly, the R&A invites the top 50 in the OWGR in May and also has a separate path for top LIV golfers that would allow Kim to qualify to play at Royal Birkdale if he continues to show his new form.

Suffice to say, disbelief will no longer be the way people feel if Kim finds his way into a major in 2026.