Anthony Kim made headlines all over the world Sunday in Australia with a riveting final-round 63 in LIV Golf Adelaide to fly by Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau to capture his first professional victory in 16 years. That’s 5,795 days.
The man who once made 11 birdies during the second round of 2009 Masters and then won his third PGA Tour title a year later went off the grid for more than a decade, dealing with his own demons that he’s talked about regarding addiction and mental health issues.
Now 40, the California native popped back on the golf map a couple years ago when he was given a wild-card spot to play with LIV Golf. Last year he did not play well and was facing relegation before he finished third in the promotions event to earn a spot on the roster for 2026. When Patrick Reed left LIV Golf a few weeks ago, Dustin Johnson added Kim to his 4Aces team.
This week at The Grange Golf Club, in just the second LIV event of the year, Kim dazzled the rowdy Aussie gallery with a wonderful display that included nine birdies and five on the last seven holes to shoot 63. Impressive in its own right, he did so while playing with and surpassing Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, the two biggest stars in LIV Golf. Kim’s heroics now make it a trio of those who make the must-watch list for the league.
“I will say that that was all the lows that I went through in my life that I got to dig out of. Every putt that went in, I felt the struggle, and I was overcoming it. It was therapeutic out there to fight through it and come out on top,” Kim said Sunday in Adelaide.
Here is a smattering of social media responses regarding Kim’s wonderful win Down Under.
Thank u GOD
Thank u sobriety
Thank u 2 my few close friends& family
NEVER GIVE UP❤️
1% BETTER https://t.co/eMMRGqXiNu— Anthony Kim (@AnthonyKim_Golf) February 15, 2026
Way to go AK!
Redemption stories always resonate. From being one of the most talented players in the world, to disappearing from the game, to putting in the work to get yourself back into the winner’s circle – that takes something special.
We all fail at times. Not everyone has…
— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) February 15, 2026
https://twitter.com/PhilMickelson/status/2022975156730118569?s=20
I love watching Anthony Kim play golf! @livgolf_league
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) February 15, 2026
What a comeback @AnthonyKim_Golf. Incredible story of overcoming demons over the years! Congratulations on turning your life around. Your hard work & commitment paid off. Cherish this sweet victory with your family. Heart warming story of the year. @livgolf_league
— Annika Sorenstam (@ANNIKA59) February 15, 2026
If you can’t get behind this comeback then you don’t understand the rollercoaster of life. Happy for this guy. Talk about digging it out of the dirt. Resilience personified. https://t.co/GOLa7akAYo
— Graeme McDowell (@Graeme_McDowell) February 15, 2026
https://twitter.com/IanJamesPoulter/status/2022969766076690905?s=20 https://twitter.com/BillyHo_Golf/status/2023007004017713547?s=20
AK!!
— chris gotterup (@ChrisGotterup) February 15, 2026
I cannot, on any level, comprehend what Anthony Kim has been through on his journey but to battle, to persevere and to turn his life around as he has, is phenomenal. To win a professional golf tournament again after all this? Unfreakingbelievable! Congratulations AK!
— Peter Kostis (@peterjkostis) February 15, 2026
Impossible is nothing.
Anthony Kim is a champion again! pic.twitter.com/iclb23SigG
— Oklahoma Golf (@OU_MGolf) February 15, 2026
30 years of talking about golf on TV and this day is what I'll remember most.
— Jerry Foltz (@JerryFoltzGolf) February 15, 2026
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com


