Talk of golf’s greatest comebacks usually starts with Ben Hogan or Tiger Woods.
Hogan famously returned from a near-fatal car crash in 1949 to win six of his nine major championships. Woods battled multiple injuries and personal setbacks before his incredible ‘return to glory’ at the 2019 Masters.
Kim’s win – his first professional title in nearly 16 years after battling drug, alcohol, and mental health struggles – captivated fans and peers alike in Adelaide. The battle-worn 40-year-old held off LIV’s two biggest drawcards, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, with near-flawless golf, evoking memories of the 2008 Ryder Cup-Kim. Back then, the young American phenom was tipped as the next challenger to Woods’ throne before he walked away from the game, almost totally disappearing from public life.
Norman, the former CEO of LIV Golf and a driving force behind bringing Kim back into the professional game, revealed the enormity of the moment on Sunday.
“That is the greatest comeback in golf history,” Norman told Australian Golf Digest.
“I’m so proud of him. To give him that chance (as the former LIV CEO) for a new life by giving him a place of support, and having his back to allow him to find what was always within – the true A.K. – and to (his wife) Emily, who was his rock, and (daughter) Bella, who gave him inspiration, that I just love.”
Norman later shared his reaction on Instagram, celebrating what he termed a true fairytale feat after years away from competition.
After collecting his trophy and $US4 million winner’s cheque, Kim spoke about Norman’s role in convincing him to return to the fairways.
“Greg and I had a conversation. He asked me if I thought I could do it, how committed I was. Obviously I was terrible, but I still had that self-belief that I could get to the top, that I could win golf tournaments, and he said, ‘I believe in you, too’,” Kim recalls.
“So, I appreciate the opportunity I’ve gotten here at LIV, and I’m going to just keep getting better.”
Kim’s Adelaide performance – a bogey‑free final round of 9‑under 63 to finish 23‑under par – snapped a professional drought dating back to his 2010 Shell Houston Open win on the PGA Tour, and concluded a dark journey marked by injuries, personal struggles, and hard‑won sobriety.
Norman’s sentiment was echoed by Australia’s Marc Leishman, whose all-Aussie Ripper GC team claimed the teams title for a second consecutive week.
“It’s an unbelievable story, the place (Kim) got to and how close he was to not being here… I’m not talking about in Adelaide, I’m talking about not being on this planet,” Leishman said before pausing. “It’s pretty touching, actually, how good a story this is. I hope that people realise how it’s a fairytale, it really is. Not just golf but life… I couldn’t be happier for AK.”
