Anthony Kim completes improbable comeback with victory in Adelaide
Anthony Kim broke a 16-year win drought with a dominant, bogey-free final round to claim the Adelaide title early Sunday morning ET, capping one of the most unexpected returns in recent golf history. The 40-year-old produced a stirring nine-under 63 to finish 23 under par and beat a field that included major champions chasing from the top of the leaderboard.
A stunning, flawless final round
Starting the day several shots off the lead, Kim unleashed a streak of birdies that changed the tournament. He carded nine birdies and no bogeys, with four consecutive birdies and five in a six-hole stretch that pushed him well clear of the competition. His composed finish included an emotional fist pump on the 18th and a calm tap-in par putt that sealed a three-shot margin of victory.
The scoreboard reflected Kim's dominance: he closed at 23 under par, with notable names finishing in pursuit but unable to match his late surge. Crowds at Royal Adelaide rose as the round progressed; many fans surged onto the 18th fairway to witness the final moments and celebrate with Kim on the green. His teammates greeted him with a celebratory shower and he embraced his wife and young daughter in an emotional scene that underscored the personal significance of the victory.
A comeback from the brink
Kim's path back to the winner's circle has been anything but straightforward. Once a rising star who captured multiple titles and played on high-profile teams, he stepped away from professional golf over a decade ago amid injuries and personal struggles. In recent seasons he has been open about battling drug and alcohol addiction and the deep challenges that followed his absence from the tour.
His return to competitive golf unfolded gradually; he reappeared on the professional scene as a wildcard and later secured a spot on a team. The Adelaide win marks his first title since the 2010 Houston Open and represents a dramatic turnaround from the lows that once left his future in the sport uncertain. Kim reflected on the personal nature of the achievement, saying he had to believe in himself and that his family gave him motivation through difficult times. He also noted that his sobriety milestone is imminent, with a celebration of three years sober set for February 20 (ET).
What the victory means moving forward
Beyond the emotional resonance, the win carries practical rewards. Kim earned a significant winner's paycheck and the result can improve his standing in the world rankings, offering renewed opportunity for starts and invitations in the months ahead. More broadly, the triumph serves as a potent storyline for the sport — a reminder that elite-level returns are possible even after prolonged absences and personal hardship.
Kim emphasized gratitude for those who stuck by him during the toughest stretches, pledging to keep fighting for his family and the game. Whether this victory marks the start of a sustained second act remains to be seen, but for now the moment belongs to Kim: a golfer who left the game under a cloud, worked through recovery, and returned to lift a trophy in front of tens of thousands of fans.
