Anthony Kim secured his first professional golf win in 16 years by triumphing at LIV Golf Adelaide on February 15, 2026. The 40-year-old American overcame a five-shot deficit in the final round, shooting a bogey-free 63 to finish at 23 under par, three strokes ahead of Jon Rahm. Kim's comeback follows a 12-year hiatus marked by injuries and addiction struggles.
Anthony Kim's victory at LIV Golf Adelaide marked a stunning redemption after more than a decade away from competitive golf. Kim, who last won the 2010 Shell Houston Open, entered the final round at Grange Golf Club five strokes behind co-leaders Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. He carded nine birdies in a flawless 63, including four straight from holes 12 to 15 and another on 17, to pull away for a three-stroke win at 23 under. Rahm finished second at 20 under after a 71, while DeChambeau tied for third at 17 under with Tyrrell Hatton and Peter Uihlein.
Kim's path back to the winner's circle was fraught with challenges. He stepped away in 2012 following an Achilles tendon tear and subsequent injuries requiring hand and spine surgeries. During his absence, Kim battled drug and alcohol addiction, contemplating suicide on multiple occasions, as he revealed in 2025 after achieving two years of sobriety. He joined LIV Golf as a wildcard in February 2024 but struggled, finishing no better than 36th in 2024 and earning no points in 2025, leading to relegation. Kim reclaimed his spot with a third-place finish at the January 2026 LIV Promotions event and joined Dustin Johnson's 4Aces team after Patrick Reed's departure.
A key to his resurgence was refining his setup and alignment, as Kim explained: "I’ve been working on my setup the last two years... If I can get that squared away, I know I can hit a lot of good shots." Working with instructor Matt Killen, he focused on fundamentals rather than swing changes. Post-win, Kim emphasized personal growth: "I wasn’t the best person... when I was younger, but who I am today is a completely different person. With God, my family, my sobriety... I can go as far as I want."
LIV CEO Greg Norman, who signed Kim, called it "the greatest golf comeback in history," adding, "I feel like a proud dad." Rahm noted the emotional scene: "To see that image on 18 of him hugging his wife and daughter... I was almost tearing up." Kim, embracing his wife Emily and four-year-old daughter Bella on the 18th green, dedicated the win to his family, saying, "For anybody that's struggling, you can get through anything."
The event drew over 115,000 fans, the largest for any golf tournament in Australia.
