Anthony Kim completes comeback of all comebacks with LIV Golf Adelaide triumph

Anthony Kim has completed one of golf’s most extraordinary comebacks, winning his first LIV Golf title in Adelaide — his first tournament victory in 16 years.

The 40-year-old American, who vanished from professional golf in 2012 amid injury struggles and personal turmoil, produced a stunning final-round 63 to finish 23 under par at Grange Golf Club and secure an emotional three-shot victory.

Kim began the final round five shots behind overnight leaders Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. Few could have predicted what followed.

Nine birdies later, Kim had surged to the top of the leaderboard, rolling back the years with the fearless shot-making that once made him one of the game’s brightest young stars.

Rahm closed with a one-under 71 to finish second on 20 under, while DeChambeau’s two-birdie, four-bogey 74 dropped him into a tie for third at 17 under alongside Peter Uihlein and England’s Tyrrell Hatton.

For Kim, however, the numbers only told part of the story.

“It’s been overwhelming,” he said after sealing victory. “I always believed that this day would come. With the support of my wife, my daughter and my mum, I knew anything was possible — but for it to actually happen is incredible.”

The win marks Kim’s first professional title since the 2010 Houston Open on the PGA Tour and represents a remarkable turnaround for a player who admitted last year he had battled drug and alcohol addiction during his time away from the game.

Kim disappeared from professional golf in 2012 following a series of injuries. During his absence, he revealed he experienced “very dark moments”, fell victim to “scam artists” and “snakes”, and even contemplated ending his life.

His return began earlier this year when he joined LIV Golf as a wildcard in 2024. He recently secured a place on Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces GC following Patrick Reed’s departure from the league.

But even with the opportunity to compete again, few expected such a rapid resurgence.

In 2008, Kim became the first American under the age of 25 since Tiger Woods to win two PGA Tour events in the same season. That same year, he starred in the United States’ Ryder Cup victory at Valhalla, collecting two-and-a-half points from four matches at just 23 years old.

The talent was never in doubt. The question was whether he could rediscover it.

On Sunday in Adelaide, he provided a resounding answer.

“I just wanted to take it all in,” Kim added. “In my twenties, I wasn’t able to enjoy the moment. Having my daughter and my wife here has made it the best situation I could possibly ask for.

“I just want to thank all the people that have supported me when I was not playing well and I was struggling on the verge of never coming back.”

Kim’s closing 63 was a statement of intent — aggressive, confident and composed under pressure. While Rahm and DeChambeau faltered, he remained relentless, converting chances and capitalising on every opening.

“God gave me a talent,” he said. “I was able to produce some good golf today. I knew it was coming. Nobody else has to believe in me but me.

“And for anybody that’s struggling, you can get through anything.”

Twelve years on from his last victory, Kim is back in the winner’s circle — and back in the spotlight.