Anthony Kim — who joined the LIV Golf tour in March 2024 after being out of golf for 12 years due originally to a torn Achilles tendon in his left leg and later drug, alcohol and mental health problems — is a champion again, completing one of the most remarkable comebacks in golf — and sports — history.
And he did it style, outdueling two of golf’s biggest names, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, who were in the final group with him.
The 40-year-old Kim shot a final round 9-under-par 63 on Sunday to finish at -23 to win the LIV Golf Adelaide tournament in Australia by three strokes over Rahm who was just one-under in the final round. It was the second straight runner-up finish for Rahm.
DeChambeau, who struggled with a final round 74 on the par 72 The Grange Golf Club, finished in a three-way tie for third at -17.
“For it to actually happen is pretty insane,” Kim said. “I just want to thank all the people that have supported me.”
Heading into the fourth round, it looked like it would be a heavyweight battle between Rahm and DeChambeau, who both were 19-under.
Kim, who was in the final group with the two powerhouses, was five back at -14, with many likely thinking a good finish would build on his recent momentum, but not that he would win the tournament over two of golf’s best.
“I was able to, to produce some good golf today and I knew it was coming,” Kim said. “Nobody else has to believe in me but me. And, for anybody that’s struggling, you can get through anything.”
Kim’s comeback victory in his 35th LIV Golf start is all the more remarkable, considering the fact he struggled in his first two seasons and played himself out of the league.
But Kim played his way back on to the league with a top 3 finish in the LIV Golf Promotion event on Jan. 12 this year (only three spots were available for league re-entry). He finished tied for 22nd in the LIV Golf Riyadh event in the first tournament of the season before Sunday’s stunning victory.
What makes Kim’s thrilling comeback win more noteworthy was the fact he was one of the Top PGA Tour players in the world and on the cusp of superstardom before he suffered his Achilles tendon injury.
Kim, who turned pro in 2006, won three PGA Tour events — capturing the AT&T National and Wachovia Championship in 2008 (where he was ranked as high as No. 6 in the world) and the Shell Houston Open in 2010. He also played on the 2008 Ryder Cup team at Valhalla in which he was a key part of the winning team, defeating Sergio García 5&4 in the Sunday singles.
It was his first professional win in 5,795 days, or nearly 16 years, according to Golfweek.
