LIV Golf Adelaide - Final Leaderboard
-23 A Kim (US); -20 J Rahm (Spa); -17 B DeChambeau (US), T Hatton (Eng), P Uihlein (US)
Selected others: -15 C Smith (Aus); -13 G McDowell (NI); -12 D Johnson (US); -11 R Bland (Eng)
Anthony Kim's Triumphant Return After 12 Years
Anthony Kim, described as "overwhelmed," secured a significant victory at the LIV Golf event in Adelaide, marking his first tournament win after a 12-year hiatus from professional golf. During his absence, Kim faced challenges including drug and alcohol addiction.
The 40-year-old American had stepped away from professional golf in 2012 following multiple injuries. He disclosed that during this period he endured "very dark moments" and was exploited by "scam artists" and "snakes."
Kim revealed last year that he struggled with addiction and had contemplated ending his life.
Initially joining LIV Golf as a wildcard in 2024, Kim recently became a member of Dustin Johnson's 4Aces team after fellow American Patrick Reed departed the breakaway league.
This victory in Adelaide is Kim's first title since winning the 2010 Houston Open on the PGA Tour.
"I always believed that this day would come," said Kim. "With the support of my wife, my daughter and my mum, I knew anything was possible but for it to actually happen is incredible.
"I just wanted to take it all in. In my twenties, I wasn't able to enjoy the moment but 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."
Career Highlights and Final Round Performance
In 2008, Kim became the first American under the age of 25 since Tiger Woods to win two PGA Tour events in the same year. That year, he was also the youngest member of the United States' victorious Ryder Cup team, earning two-and-a-half points from four matches at age 23 during the competition at Valhalla.
At the Adelaide event, Kim began the final round five shots behind overnight leaders Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau.
He delivered an impressive final round with nine birdies, shooting a 63 to finish atop the leaderboard at 23 under par at Grange Golf Club.
Jon Rahm concluded the tournament with a 71, including two birdies and a bogey, finishing three shots behind Kim at 20 under.
Bryson DeChambeau recorded two birdies and four bogeys in his final round 74, ending at 17 under alongside compatriot Peter Uihlein (68) and England's Tyrell Hatton (67).
"It's been overwhelming," Kim said. "But I'm never not going to fight for my family.
"God gave me a talent. 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."
