A Stunning Return to Form

Anthony Kim delivered a performance for the ages at LIV Golf Adelaide, overcoming Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau to claim a victory that resonates far beyond the tournament itself. His win marks a remarkable comeback story after 12 years sidelined by injuries and personal challenges.

Kim’s final round was particularly impressive, a bogey-free 9-under 63 that cemented his place in golf lore. The victory is his first in nearly 16 years.

Ripper GC Claims Team Title

While Kim shone individually, Ripper GC secured the team title at LIV Golf Adelaide, finishing two shots ahead of Legion XIII. This marks the second consecutive team victory for the all-Australian squad in the first two LIV Golf events of 2026.

Lucas Herbert, Marc Leishman, and Cameron Smith all achieved top-10 finishes for Ripper GC, while Elvis Smylie finished T27.

A Journey of Redemption

Kim’s return to professional golf has been widely celebrated as a testament to perseverance. He openly discussed his battles with alcohol and drug addiction, and his determination to rebuild his life.

“I’m overwhelmed with emotion right now,” Kim said. “I exploded with joy on a few of my putts at the complete, but I’m too old to react like that, because I think I did something to my hip. More seriously, on each putt that came in, I felt the challenges I experienced, and I surpassed them. It was therapeutic to go into battle there and approach out victorious. My goal is to continue to progress and win more trophies.”

Anthony Kim, via LIV Golf

Prior to his victory, Kim had been working to regain his competitive edge, having initially struggled to register points in his first two seasons on LIV Golf. He regained his place through a qualifying tournament in January.

Impact on the Official World Golf Ranking

Kim’s victory has significantly boosted his position in the Official World Golf Ranking. He entered the tournament at No. 847 and now stands at No. 203, thanks to LIV Golf being awarded OWGR points this season.

Jon Rahm also saw a ranking improvement, moving from No. 67 to No. 50 despite finishing as runner-up. Bryson DeChambeau remains the top-ranked LIV player at No. 38.

Looking Ahead

Kim, Rahm, and DeChambeau all have the opportunity to continue their momentum at the next LIV Golf event in Hong Kong, scheduled for March 5-8.