Anthony Kim completes stunning comeback with LIV Golf Adelaide victory

Anthony Kim captured LIV Golf Adelaide on Sunday, firing a closing 9-under 63 to claim his first victory in nearly 16 years and seize headlines with a three-shot margin. The 40-year-old American finished at 23 under and celebrated a comeback that has shifted his career trajectory and reopened realistic routes into the 2026 major championships.

Dominant finish at The Grange and a long-awaited return to winning ways

Kim closed with a blistering run, making four consecutive birdies on holes 12 through 15 and holing putts of 17, 11, 14 and 17 feet. He then rolled in a 15-foot birdie on the par-4 17th to build a three-shot lead heading to the final hole. A missed 20-foot birdie attempt on 18 left him a stroke shy of the course record, and he tapped in for par to seal the win — his first since the 2010 Houston Open.

Playing in shorts in front of large, enthusiastic galleries on a sunny day at The Grange Golf Club, Kim finished three shots clear of Jon Rahm, who carded a 71 to finish second. Bryson DeChambeau, who shared the third-round lead, ended up tied for third at 17 under alongside two others. On the team side, an all-Australian Ripper squad won again, while Kim’s 4Aces side placed third.

Kim, a three-time PGA Tour winner whose best prior LIV showing was a tie for 25th, reflected on the moment: "For it to actually happen is pretty insane. I just want to thank all the people that have supported me. " His remarks followed a long and turbulent break from full-time competition — he stepped away for roughly 12 years amid struggles with drug and alcohol use and had to go through a qualifying event last month just to secure another season on the LIV circuit.

Major championship pathways re-open after ranking jump

Beyond the trophy, the win delivered immediate ranking benefits and concrete opportunities. A recent rule change that granted world ranking points to top LIV finishes played directly into Kim’s hands. The victory propelled him dramatically up the Official World Golf Ranking, moving him hundreds of spots and putting major championship qualification squarely back on the table.

For the Masters, the clearest route remains a Top 50 position in the world by the cut-off date of April 6, 2026 (ET). With the Masters set for April 9–12, 2026 (ET), Kim will need to climb further in the OWGR in the coming weeks to reach that benchmark. The PGA Championship has historically opened spots to players ranked inside roughly the top 100, which would be another attainable target with sustained strong results.

The U. S. Open presents multiple avenues. One route is the world ranking (Top 60 by the relevant cutoff). Another is a special exemption mechanism tied to the LIV Individual standings: the top LIV player not otherwise exempt who sits in the top three of the LIV Individual standings as of May 18, 2026 (ET) can earn entry. With his Adelaide victory, Kim vaulted into second place in the LIV Individual standings, with only one player ahead of him, putting that particular pathway well within reach if he maintains momentum.

What’s next for Kim and the comeback storyline

Kim’s resurgence carries both sporting and narrative weight. He reached as high as No. 6 in the world back in 2008 and was a member of a winning U. S. Ryder Cup side that same year. Since returning to competition he has played selectively around the globe, including multiple starts on the Asian Tour last year that yielded a tie for fifth in the Saudi International. The Adelaide triumph is his most significant result in years and gives him leverage to chase further starts in 2026’s biggest events.

Kim’s message to other competitors and to fans was simple and pointed: "Nobody else has to believe in me but me. And for anybody that's struggling, you can get through anything. " As the calendar moves toward the majors and the LIV schedule continues, the spotlight will shift to whether Kim can parlay this breakthrough into the additional high finishes or wins needed to secure major starts and sustain his comeback story.