Anthony Kim completed one of golf’s most unlikely comebacks on Sunday by winning on the LIV Tour, capping a return from a 12-year absence caused by injury and a deeply personal battle with drug and alcohol addiction.
The 40-year-old American walked away from the sport in 2012 at the peak of his powers after having achilles tendon surgery. He has since spoken of the “very dark moments” during his hiatus, describing periods when he was targeted by “scam artists” and “snakes”.
When he returned to professional golf in 2024 as an LIV wildcard, Kim revealed that he had battled addiction and had even contemplated suicide. He recently joined Dustin Johnson’s team full-time, replacing Patrick Reed.
Kim celebrates with his wife and daughter, who he says made him believe his comeback was possible
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Kim saw off Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau after overturning a five-shot overnight deficit with a bogey-free 63 at the Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, sealing the $4million (about £2.9million) prize.
“I really don’t know what to say right now,” Kim said. “It’s been overwhelming. I’m never not going to fight for my family. God gave me a talent and I was able to produce some good golf today. I knew it was coming. Nobody else has to believe in me but me. For anybody who’s struggling, you can get through anything.”
Before disappearing from the sport, Kim was regarded as one of the game’s brightest talents. In 2008 he became the first American under 25 since Tiger Woods to win a PGA Tour event. At 23, he was the youngest member of the United States Ryder Cup team that triumphed at Valhalla, claiming 2½ points.
At 23, Kim was one of Team USA’s standout performers in their Ryder Cup win at Valhalla in 2008
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Starting the final round at 14 under par and five shots back, Kim appeared outside the frame despite sitting third. But as Rahm and DeChambeau faltered, he surged clear with nine birdies to secure his first professional victory since the 2010 Shell Houston Open on the PGA Tour.
Rahm shot 71 to finish three strokes back, while DeChambeau’s 74 left him tied for third alongside England’s Tyrrell Hatton and Peter Uihlein, of the United States.
“I always believed that this day would come,” Kim said. “With the support of my wife, my daughter and my mum, I knew anything was possible, but for it to actually happen is incredible.
“In my twenties I wasn’t able to enjoy the moment, but having my daughter and my wife here has made it the best situation I could possibly ask for.
“I just want to thank all the people who supported me when I was struggling and on the verge of never coming back.”