LECANTO, FL. – Anthony Kim is back on the LIV Tour in 2026, and he earned it with his clubs this time.
Kim, who had a 12-year hiatus from golf after a promising start to his professional career, finished third in LIV’s Promotion tournament at Black Diamond Ranch. That was good enough to regain his wild card status for all the 2026 tournaments.
He had been relegated off the roster for failure to meet performance requirements after LIV officials gave him a chance to revive his career.
Many doubted the 40-year old would ever make it back, but he did in a 72-hole elimination on a Tom Fazio-designed course that started with 80 players from 24 countries. Only 22 advanced to the weekend rounds and Kim finished third among the three qualifiers.
“I wasn’t here to prove anybody wrong,’’ said Kim. “I’m here to prove myself right.’’
He finished 66-69 on the weekend but the key moment came when he made an eight-foot birdie putt on the last green of the second round to avoid being cut from weekend play. When that putt dropped the other players were quick to applaud his accomplishment. Not only did he get a boost from his fellow competitors, he earned a spot necessary for him to finish his goal.
Two 35-year olds – Richard T. Lee from Canada and Bjorn Hellgren from Sweden—were the top two finishers, and Lee became the first LIV Tour qualifier from Canada. Kim was more in the spotlight at the end at the 45-hole private facility, however.
Kim was tied with two golfers from Thailand for the coveted third spot through 10 holes, then he rolled in a 20-foot birdie putt at No. 11. He remain solo third the rest of the way without making another birdie and making bogey on the final hole.
“I’ve worked so hard,’’ said Kim, holding his young daughter in post-tournament interviews, “and this little girl is one of the reasons why. And my wife’s been so supportive.’’
Kim’s departure from pro golf remained somewhat of a mystery. Born in Los Angeles and a collegiate player at Oklahoma, Kim was a quick hit after earning a spot on the PGA Tour. He won three tournaments there and earned roster spots in the 2008 Ryder Cup and 2009 Presidents Cup.
His career deteriorated after he suffered an achilles injury in 2012, but more was involved in his dropping off the PGA Tour than that injury. He did somewhat address his time away from the game after the tournament was over.
“I just wanted to keep working hard, staying sober, spending time with my family and doing all the things that are the more important things in my life,’’ he said. “After I left rehab one of my goals was to be outside more and, I mean, practicing for 10 hours a day.’’
He did that in between struggling through 25 LIV tournaments. His best finish was a tie for 25th last year in Dallas.
“I’m a completely different person than I was,’’ he said. “I’ve been forced as a husband and a dad, and as somebody that I think people are relating to as far as struggling. I’ve got more to do in my life than golf.’’
But golf remains a huge part. He’ll play on both the Asian Tour’s International Series as well as the LIV circuit this year.
“This is just the first step,’’ he said. “I’m glad I earned my spot so everybody can stop talking about that. I’ll be back soon, and I’ll be winning golf tournaments soon.’’
The first LIV tournament of the season is Feb. 4-7 in Saudi Arabia.