anthony kim eyes major starts after Adelaide shock — how one win and rule changes opened doors
Anthony Kim's sudden victory at LIV Golf Adelaide has produced more than a headline—it has created genuine pathways back into major championship fields. The 40-year-old's first win in 16 years vaulted him dramatically in the Official World Golf Ranking and, coupled with recent rule changes and new exemptions, places him within reach of multiple 2026 majors.
What changed: world ranking points and a dramatic jump
Kim's Adelaide triumph moved him from 847th to 203rd in the Official World Golf Ranking. That leap matters because for the first time the world ranking system awarded points to top-10 finishers in LIV Golf events, a change implemented ahead of the 2026 season. Those points are the catalyst for every major-qualification scenario now on Kim's table.
The most immediate target is the Masters, scheduled April 9–12, 2026 (ET) at Augusta National. The only practical route for Kim short of a special invitation is finishing inside the top 50 in the world by April 6, 2026 (ET). With three LIV events remaining before that date, Kim will likely need another win or a couple of very high finishes to climb the remaining 153 spots into the top 50.
Paths into each major: what Kim needs to do
Masters: As noted, the Masters remains the toughest to reach by standard exemption. The top-50 cutoff in the world ranking is firm for the April window. Kim's Adelaide success gives him momentum, but time and competition remain significant hurdles. He will have to capitalize quickly in the early-season LIV schedule to have a realistic shot at Augusta.
PGA Championship: The PGA Championship typically extends invitations to a broader swath of the world top than the Masters, often reaching players inside the top 100. That creates a more forgiving target for Kim; he needs fewer ranking positions to climb and has more calendar time between the Adelaide win and the May championship to accrue points.
U. S. Open: There are two clear routes for Kim into the U. S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. One is the world ranking: anyone inside the top 60 by May 18, 2026 (ET) can earn entry. The other is a special exemption tied to LIV standings. A new U. S. Open exemption awards a spot to the highest-ranked LIV player in the individual standings who is not otherwise exempt and sits in the top three of the LIV Individual standings as of May 18, 2026 (ET). After Adelaide, Kim sits second in the LIV Individual standings, with only one player ahead of him, putting this pathway firmly within reach—provided the players above him are already exempt through other criteria.
Momentum, legacy and what comes next
Beyond the technical qualification routes, Kim's victory has stirred reaction across the golf community. Observers point to both the nostalgia of his early-career brilliance and the narrative of a comeback from serious setbacks. That context matters because it shifts expectations: a win in Adelaide is not just a statistical boost, it’s a statement that Kim can still contend at high levels of competition.
Practically, the upcoming weeks on the LIV schedule are pivotal. Another victory would likely move Kim well into contention for Masters and PGA berths; consistent top finishes could be enough to secure a U. S. Open spot the world ranking or the LIV exemption. If he holds his current place in the LIV Individual standings through mid-May, the U. S. Open becomes the most likely major for a return to the big stages.
Whatever the outcome, Kim's Adelaide win reintroduces him to conversations about major-championship golf after a 15-year absence from those fields. The combination of updated ranking rules, special exemptions, and timely performances has turned one surprise victory into a plausible runway for multiple major starts in 2026.
