Anthony Kim Ends 16-Year Drought with Historic Victory at LIV Golf Adelaide

2026-02-15 general

Adelaide, Sunday, 15 February 2026.
Defying nearly 16 years without a win, Kim shot a stunning final-round 63 to defeat Jon Rahm, securing a $4 million payout and completing a remarkable professional comeback.

A High-Stakes Return on Investment

In a dramatic conclusion to LIV Golf Adelaide on Sunday, February 15, 2026, Anthony Kim completed one of the most improbable comebacks in professional sports history, securing his first victory in 5,795 days [2]. The 40-year-old American, who had not visited the winner’s circle since the Shell Houston Open in April 2010, validated his recent signing with the 4Aces GC franchise by claiming the $4 million top prize from the tournament’s $20 million individual purse [2][8]. This victory marks a significant financial and professional turnaround for Kim, who as recently as January 2026 had to fight for his spot in the league through a qualifying tournament after being relegated following a point-less 2025 season [2].

Precision Under Pressure

Kim’s path to the title at The Grange Golf Club required a flawless performance to overcome a five-stroke deficit against heavyweights Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau [4][6]. He delivered exactly that, carding a final-round 9-under 63 to match the course record and finish at 23-under par [2]. His statistical dominance was evident, as he hit 83.33% of Greens in Regulation (GIR) throughout the week and recorded the fewest bogeys of the field with just three [6]. Kim surged past Jon Rahm, who finished second at 20-under after closing with a 71, and Bryson DeChambeau, who tied for third at 17-under alongside Tyrrell Hatton and Peter Uihlein [4]. The margin of victory was decisive, with Kim finishing 3 strokes ahead of his nearest competitor, Rahm [1].

The Economics of Resilience

The narrative of Kim’s victory is underpinned by a volatile career trajectory that saw him disappear from the sport for over 12 years to battle addiction and multiple surgeries [2][4]. After returning as a wildcard in 2024, Kim struggled significantly, failing to earn a single point in two seasons and losing his playing privileges [2]. His road to redemption required a third-place finish at the LIV Promotions Event on January 11, 2026, to regain his status [2]. This perseverance paid dividends immediately; in addition to the $4 million winner’s check, Kim’s performance boosted the 4Aces GC to a third-place team finish, earning the squad a share of the $500,000 team prize [8]. Reflecting on his journey, Kim noted that despite the overwhelming emotion, his focus remains on his family and sobriety, stating, “I’m never not going to fight for my family” [1][5].

League Growth and Future Outlook

Beyond the individual accolades, the event underscored the commercial viability of the league’s Australian expansion. The tournament set a new attendance record with over 115,000 fans visiting The Grange Golf Club over four days [2][6]. The local crowd also celebrated a victory for the all-Australian Ripper GC, captained by Cameron Smith, which secured the team title with a score of 55-under, marking their second consecutive win on home soil [1][6]. Looking ahead, the league moves to the Hong Kong Golf Club for its next event from March 5-8, 2026 [7]. As for Kim, who is projected to rise to approximately No. 200 in the Official World Golf Ranking—his highest position since July 2012—he plans to remain in Australia briefly to enjoy the local wildlife before continuing his season [2][6].

Sources

Sports Management Professional Golf