Anthony Kim has completed a return to professional golf by winning the LIV Golf Adelaide tournament. This victory is his first in nearly 16 years, with his last win occurring in April 2010. Kim finished the event at 23-under par, ending three strokes ahead of Jon Rahm. This result is notable because Kim spent 12 years away from the sport before returning as a wildcard player in 2024. To play in the 2026 season, he had to earn his spot through a qualifying tournament held only last month.
The win happened in front of a large crowd in Australia, where Kim showed a high level of play that many doubted he could reach again. While he led the individual scoreboard, the local team, Ripper GC, won the team portion of the event. Kim’s performance included a final round of 9-under 63, which allowed him to move past major champions like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.
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Timeline and Key Participants
The events leading to this win involve a long period of absence followed by a quick rise in performance.
April 2010: Anthony Kim wins his last professional title before his long break.
2012–2024: Kim stays away from professional golf. Reports from this time mention he dealt with health and personal struggles.
2024: Kim returns to golf as a wildcard for the LIV Golf league.
January 2026: Kim enters a qualifying tournament to keep his spot on the tour for the new season. He joins the 4Aces GC team.
February 15, 2026: Kim shoots a final round 63 to win in Adelaide, Australia.
Key Actors:
Anthony Kim: The winner who finished at -23.
Jon Rahm: Finished solo second at -20.
Bryson DeChambeau: Tied for third at -17.
Ripper GC: The Australian team (led by Cameron Smith) that won the team trophy.
Performance Data and Records
The following data shows how the top players performed over the four days of the tournament.
| Player | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Kim | 67 | 67 | 68 | 63 | -23 |
| Jon Rahm | 68 | 63 | 66 | 71 | -20 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | 66 | 67 | 64 | 74 | -17 |
| Tyrrell Hatton | 69 | 69 | 66 | 67 | -17 |
"Nobody else has to believe in me but me, and for anybody that's struggling, you can get through anything." — Anthony Kim during his post-win interview.
Kim’s final round of 63 was the lowest score of the day among the leaders, allowing him to overcome a three-shot gap.
Analysis of the Comeback
Personal Change vs. Athletic Skill
There are two ways to look at Kim's victory. One view is that his physical skill never left, and he only needed to find his rhythm again. His final round featured nine birdies, showing he could still play at an elite level. Another view focuses on his personal life. Kim stated after the win that he is a "different person now." He publicly acknowledged past struggles with alcohol and drugs. Is his win a result of better physical health, or did a change in his mental state allow his old skills to return?
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Competitive Field and Pressure
Some observers might ask if Kim won because others played poorly. Jon Rahm held a share of the lead starting the final day but shot a 71, which is one stroke under par. Bryson DeChambeau shot a 74, which is two strokes over par.
Evidence shows Kim took the lead by making birdies on the 12th and 13th holes.
While his competitors slowed down, Kim's score improved.
The data suggests Kim won by active scoring rather than simply waiting for others to lose.
The Role of the LIV Format
The Adelaide event is known for having very loud and large crowds. Some experts suggest this environment helps players who enjoy high energy. Kim’s "fist-pump" celebrations at the "Watering Hole" (the 12th hole) suggested he was comfortable with the noise. It is worth asking: does the specific atmosphere of this tour suit Kim’s personality better than the traditional golf environment he left in 2012?
Expert Views
Industry experts note that this win changes the conversation about Kim's career.
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Mike McAllister, writing for LIV Golf, noted that the win is a "historic moment" for the sport. He pointed out that few people thought Kim could succeed when he first returned.
Brenton Edwards from Golf Digest highlighted the emotional side of the event. He noted that seeing Kim's wife and daughter on the green showed a side of the golfer that the public had not seen during his earlier career. This suggests that his support system may be a key factor in his current success.
Final Summary of Findings
The investigation into Anthony Kim's win in Adelaide shows a clear return to form. After 16 years without a trophy and 12 years away from the game, Kim outplayed several of the highest-ranked golfers in the world.
Main Points:
Kim finished with a total score of -23, winning by three strokes.
He showed consistency across all four days, with his best performance on the final day.
He credited his family and his personal recovery for his ability to compete again.
His status on the tour was not guaranteed; he had to qualify just weeks before this win.
The next step for Kim will be to show if he can maintain this level of play at other events. This win settles the question of whether he can still compete with top-tier professionals, but it remains to be seen if he will become a consistent winner again.
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