Anthony Kim’s name once stood in the headlines as one of golf’s brightest young stars, but after a 16-year wait and a personal journey that few could imagine, he’s back atop the leaderboard. On February 15, 2026, Kim completed one of the most remarkable comebacks in sports history, capturing the LIV Golf Adelaide title at The Grange Golf Club in Australia. His story is one of resilience, redemption, and pure golfing brilliance—a tale that’s captivated fans across the globe.
Kim’s final round on Sunday was nothing short of spectacular. Starting the day five shots behind the tournament’s co-leaders, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, Kim faced what seemed like insurmountable odds. But golf, as ever, is a game of comebacks and surprises. The 40-year-old American delivered a flawless, bogey-free 9-under-par 63, tying the course record and surging to a 23-under-par total for the week. That performance left him three strokes clear of Rahm, who notched his second straight runner-up finish, and well ahead of DeChambeau, who finished in a tie for third at 17 under after a disappointing final round 74.
It’s not just the numbers that made Kim’s win so special—it’s the journey. Kim, once ranked as high as No. 6 in the world and a three-time PGA Tour winner, vanished from professional golf after 2012. His absence was shrouded in mystery, but over time, Kim opened up about the struggles that kept him away: a torn Achilles tendon, battles with addiction, and a fight for his own mental health. "I wasn’t the best person, the best partner, the best son I could be when I was younger, but who I am today is a completely different person," Kim revealed in a candid post-victory press conference. "With God, my family, my sobriety being the key things to my life, I’ll go as far as I want."
Kim’s road back to the winner’s circle was anything but straightforward. After more than a decade away, he returned to professional golf as a wildcard on the LIV circuit in March 2024. Early results were tough—he failed to earn a single point in two seasons and lost his playing privileges at the end of 2025. Yet, Kim’s spirit didn’t waver. He clawed his way back into the league by finishing third in the LIV Promotions Event on January 12, 2026, one of just three players to secure a spot. Before arriving in Adelaide, his best finish was a tie for 22nd in Riyadh earlier in the season. This week, he joined Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces team for the first time—a move that would prove fateful.
The Adelaide crowd, numbering over 115,000 across four days—a record for any golf tournament in Australia—witnessed history. On Sunday, an estimated 38,500 fans packed the grounds, their cheers growing louder with each Kim birdie. The pivotal stretch came on the back nine: Kim rattled off four straight birdies from holes 12 through 15, turning a five-shot deficit into a commanding lead. Each putt was punctuated by a signature fist pump, the kind of raw emotion that’s become Kim’s trademark. By the time he tapped in for par on the 18th, the celebration was on—fans stormed the fairway, and Kim was doused in fizzy water by his jubilant teammates.
"I don’t really know what to say right now," Kim said, fighting back tears as he embraced his wife Emily and four-year-old daughter Bella on the green. "It’s a bit overwhelming, but I’m never not gonna fight for my family. God gave me a talent, I was able to produce some good golf today. I knew it was coming. Nobody else had to believe in me but me."
For Kim, the win was about more than just golf. In six days, on February 20, he’ll celebrate three years of sobriety—a milestone he credits with saving his life. "For anybody that’s struggling right now, you can get through anything," Kim said, his words resonating with fans far beyond the sport. "One thousand percent I want to inspire people. When I was in rehab, I said if I got out of here, I’d like to help people, and golf wasn’t in the picture. My goal is to inspire the people that are struggling. I feel the world needs more of that today."
The magnitude of Kim’s achievement is underscored by the caliber of competition he overcame. Rahm and DeChambeau, two of the game’s modern titans, were expected to duel for the title. Rahm, who finished at 20 under, applied pressure with a birdie on 16, but Kim answered with a clutch par save and a birdie on 17 to seal the deal. DeChambeau, meanwhile, faltered early and couldn’t recover, ultimately sharing third place with Tyrell Hatton and Peter Uihlein. Australian hopeful Lucas Herbert briefly threatened but fell away with late bogeys, while Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith finished tied for fifth at 15 under.
Team competition added another layer of excitement. The all-Australian Ripper GC squad, led by Smith, captured the team title, edging out Rahm’s Legion XIII by two shots—a point of pride for the host nation in front of its largest-ever golf crowd.
Kim’s victory also comes with significant rewards: a $4 million winner’s check and a leap to around No. 200 in the Official World Golf Ranking, his highest standing since July 2012. For a player who, just months ago, wasn’t even on a LIV roster, the turnaround is nothing short of astonishing.
The emotional resonance of Kim’s comeback has not been lost on the golf world. His story, filled with hardship, perseverance, and redemption, offers hope to anyone facing their own battles. As Kim himself put it, "I just want to thank all the people that have supported me, including you, who when I was not playing well and I was struggling on the verge of never coming back to LIV, always supported me. Thank you to everyone that’s been in my corner. I’m going to keep doing it."
As the sun set on The Grange and the cheers of thousands echoed across Adelaide, Anthony Kim’s journey came full circle. From prodigy to recluse to champion once again, his story now stands as one of the sport’s most inspiring. And for Kim, his family, and those who have followed his odyssey, this win is about far more than a trophy—it’s a celebration of life, resilience, and the enduring power of belief.