Anthony Kim wins LIV Golf Adelaide, his first victory since 2010
Anthony Kim completed a startling return to elite competition with a closing 9-under 63 to capture LIV Golf Adelaide on Sunday, posting 23 under par and claiming his first title in nearly 16 years.
A dramatic closing round
The 40-year-old American produced a blistering finish at The Grange Golf Club, rolling in four consecutive birdies on holes 12 through 15. His putts from 17, 11, 14 and 17 feet electrified a large, sun-drenched gallery, and a 15-foot birdie on the par-4 17th pushed him to a three-stroke advantage heading to the 18th. Kim narrowly missed a 20-foot birdie attempt on the final hole, tapping in for par to secure a three-shot victory.
Kim’s final-round 63 left him at 23 under for the tournament. Jon Rahm, who had shared the third-round lead with Bryson DeChambeau, carded a 71 to finish second. DeChambeau shot a 74 and tied for third alongside Tyrrell Hatton and Peter Uihlein at 17 under.
A comeback on and off the course
This triumph marks Kim’s first tour victory since he won the Houston Open in 2010. He walked away from regular competition for roughly 12 years amid struggles with drug and alcohol use, stepping back into top-level golf only recently. He had to earn his place in the current season by playing a qualifying event last month.
On the closing day Kim reflected on the moment, calling the result “pretty insane” and expressing gratitude to those who supported him through his return. He added that he had “been able to produce some good golf today” and that he knew it was coming. He also offered encouragement to others facing difficulties, saying that “nobody else has to believe in me but me” and that “for anybody that's struggling, you can get through anything. ”
Kim was once among the world’s best, reaching a career-high of No. 6 in 2008 and representing a victorious U. S. Ryder Cup side that same year. In the past year he tested himself across other circuits, playing multiple events on the Asian Tour and posting a top-five finish in a high-profile international event.
Team results and broader context
While Kim’s individual run dominated headlines, the all-Australian Ripper team — featuring Cameron Smith, Lucas Herbert, Marc Leishman and Elvis Smylie — repeated as team champions in Adelaide. Rahm’s Legion XIII squad finished second in the team standings, and Kim’s 4Aces collected a third-place showing.
The win gives Kim a defining moment in a comeback story that had seen modest results on the new tour prior to this week. His best previous finish on the circuit had been a tie for 25th, making this victory a significant leap. The performance will raise expectations for Kim’s schedule going forward and inject fresh intrigue into the season as he returns to prominence both for his play and the personal journey that led him back to competitive golf.
Kim’s victory at The Grange serves as a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in golf: one red-hot round can rewrite narratives and revive careers.
