Anthony Kim completes improbable comeback with first victory in 16 years
Anthony Kim stunned the golf world early Sunday morning ET on Feb. 14, 2026, carding a flawless nine-under, bogey-free final round to win at Royal Adelaide and claim his first professional title in 16 years. The 40-year-old finished three shots clear after pouring in birdies down the stretch, delivering one of the sport’s most unlikely returns.
Flawless finish at Royal Adelaide
Kim closed with five birdies in six holes, including a run of four straight, to separate himself from a chasing group that featured major champions. His final-round charge culminated in an emotional scene on the 18th green as a large crowd surged up the fairway to witness his victory. After a tap-in par sealed a 23-under total, teammates celebrated by dousing him with fizzy water and Kim embraced his wife and young daughter in a visibly emotional moment.
“I don’t really know what to say right now, ” Kim said through tears. “It’s a bit overwhelming, but I’m never not gonna fight for my family. God gave me a talent, I was able to produce some good golf today. I knew it was coming. Nobody else had to believe in me but me. ”
The win carries a $4 million first prize and is expected to move Kim as high as 200th in the Official World Golf Ranking. For fans and fellow competitors watching in the United States early Sunday, the victory provided instant context for a comeback that felt improbable until the final putt dropped.
From disappearance to redemption
Kim’s journey back to the winner’s circle has been winding and, at times, opaque. The player largely disappeared from professional golf after the highs of the early 2010s and struggled with personal issues that kept him out of the sport’s spotlight for more than a decade. He returned to competition in March 2024 and faced setbacks, including relegation at the end of the 2025 season.
Determined to return, Kim earned his place back on the circuit for the 2026 campaign by finishing third at a promotional event in January. He subsequently signed a one-year deal to join Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces team, taking a roster spot left vacant when a teammate departed late. The move looked in doubt at one point when Kim was briefly denied entry to Australia after missing a visa; he posted on social media on Feb. 8 that the issue had been resolved and he was cleared to compete.
Kim has also been public about his recovery from addiction and the work that led him back to sobriety. He will mark three years sober on Feb. 20, a milestone he referenced as part of his message to others facing similar struggles. “For anybody that’s struggling right now, you can get through anything, ” he said after the win.
What comes next
The victory at Royal Adelaide changes the immediate outlook for Kim’s season. Beyond the prize money and ranking points, the win provides momentum and a renewed spotlight as he continues to rebuild his career. Teammates and supporters framed the result as proof that he can compete at the highest level again, while Kim struck a tone of gratitude and resolve.
“I just want to thank all of the people who have supported me, ” he said. “Including you, when I was not playing well, and I was on the verge of never coming back, always supported me. Thank you to everyone who’s been in my corner, so I’m going to keep doing it. ”
Whether this victory marks a sustained return to the top of the leaderboard or a singular, emotional high, it stands as one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent golf memory.
