LIV Golf Promotions Leaderboard: Anthony Kim bang in contention for swift LIV Golf return

Anthony Kim has put himself firmly back in the frame for a rapid return to the LIV Golf League after surging into contention at LIV Golf Promotions with one round to play.

The 40-year-old American fired an impressive 4-under-par 66 at Black Diamond Ranch to climb into a share of second place, just two shots behind overnight leader Richard T. Lee. 

With only 18 holes remaining, Kim is in prime position to secure a coveted LIV Golf card for the 2026 season.

Only the top three finishers at the conclusion of Sunday’s final round will earn promotion, making the stakes sky-high heading into the finale.

Three-time PGA Tour winner and former US Ryder Cup hero Kim is attempting to bounce straight back after losing his LIV Golf status at the end of the 2025 season, having finished inside the relegation zone following two campaigns as a wildcard entrant. 

A swift return would mark another remarkable chapter in a comeback story that began with his long-awaited return to professional golf in 2024 following a 12-year absence.

The field was trimmed to 22 players after the second round, all advancing to the 36-hole final phase of the Promotions event. 

Kim ensured his place with a nerveless birdie on his final hole on Friday — a moment that may yet prove pivotal.

He finished 1-under par, enough to narrowly make the top 20 for the third round.

All the scores were then reset for the weekend. 

Canadian Lee emerged as the man to catch on Saturday after producing a flawless 6-under 64 in Saturday’s penultimate round. 

The three-time Asian Tour winner wasted little time asserting control, turning in three under thanks to birdies at the 2nd, 7thand 9th before adding three more after the turn to open up a two-shot advantage.

Kim, however, stayed in close pursuit. 

After reaching the turn at 1-under, he found another gear on the back nine, rolling in birdies at the 13th, 14th and 16th holes. 

The highlight came at the last, where his par putt appeared destined to slide past before catching the edge and dropping — preserving his momentum and leaving him just two strokes off the lead.

Kim shares second place on 4-under par with South African Oliver Bekker and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond. 

Bekker, who featured in LIV Golf’s inaugural season in 2022, also signed for a 66, mixing five birdies with a single blemish. 

Janewattananond, still seeking his first taste of LIV Golf action, stayed in the hunt with a round that included six birdies offset by two bogeys.

Former DP World Tour winner Lucas Bjerregaard sits a shot further back in fifth place at 3-under, while ex-LIV Golfers Matt Jones and Kieran Vincent are among a group on level par. 

Vincent’s round threatened to catch fire early before a costly double bogey derailed his momentum.

As the final round looms, Kim stands just 18 holes away from reclaiming his place among golf’s most lucrative league — and from completing another remarkable step in his unlikely resurgence.