Exactly six months ago Anthony Kim trudged off the host Chatham Hilll course in suburban Indianapolis, Indiana having finished tied second last in 51st place in LIV Indianapolis.
There was still one remaining event to be staged in LIV Golf season 2025, a team event though Kim was not selected.
Having finished with a 2025 season best of T25th in LIV Dallas it was relegation after two seasons in LIV for the soon-to-be 41-year-old American.
Officially, Kim was without employment.
GOLF STORY OF THE YEAR ….
Anthony Kim brilliantly re-emerging from the depths of obscurity to back to the dizzy heights of #LIVGolfAdelaide success
✅ @TOURMISS @Record_Sport (Bernie ) pic.twitter.com/3te6nnw6dy
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) February 16, 2026
A month ago, Kim’s name appeared in the 90-player entry list for the 2026 LIV Promotions event but with seemingly little chance of earning one to the top-3 spots who would earn a full 2026 LIV Golf Tour card.
Though when it comes to champion, and also a golfer who has won three times on the PGA Tour along with being a winning team member in the 2005 USA Walker Cup, 2008 USA Ryder Cup and 2009 Presidents Cup team, you can never say, never.
Indeed Kim bravely captured the third and last qualifing spot into the 2026 LIV Golf ranks.
Now six months on the that disappointing Sunday afternoon in suburban Indianapolis and to the other side of the globe and Kim is once again a champion, and doing so in a dramatic and emotional manner.
Firstly, birdieing his closing hole on Friday just to make the cut and then on Sunday coming from five shots behind LIV’s best in Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau to capture LIV Adelaide.
And there was the emotional sight of Kim being greeted by his wife, Emily and beautiful young daughter, Bella returning to golf after a 12-year absence in which he has had to overcome multiple surgeries and some personal demons.
Success at an early age did not always attract the right kind of crowd, ready to help him celebrate away from the golf course.
“I thought I was having a great time,” Kim said, “And I don’t remember any of those times. When I say that, I mean I literally don’t remember any of those times because you figure at 23 or 24 years old you’re supposed to be doing these things and it’s OK. But with the personality that I have, which is an addictive personality, it can get out of hand.
“Unfortunately, I was around people that enjoyed the same things and maybe didn’t have the same opportunities as I did and the same responsibilities.”
The birth of daughter Bella and support of wife Emily has given Kim a renewed purpose in life.
“I had no self-worth until I became a father,” he said. “I really didn’t feel that and now I have a duty, I have a responsibility of taking care of my family and being the best role model for my daughter as I could be.
“That gives me purpose every morning and I just didn’t have that before.”
And like so many, Aussie LIV captain, Cam Smith was full of praise for Kim.
“I’m so happy for him. He’s worked hard,” said the Rippers GC captain/
“I actually played with Anthony his first round back in Saudi a few years ago, and it was scrappy to say the least. And I was sceptical at the start. But what he’s been able to do over the past couple of seasons and dig deep and grind out and then do what he did today is pretty special.”
The win has seen Kim jump 644 places to the new World No. 203rd ranked golfer while there’s the massive reward of a $4m first prize cheque.
