After spending the last two seasons on LIV Golf, Anthony Kim’s golf comeback hit a snag when he finished the 2025 season in LIV’s “Drop Zone.”
In two seasons on LIV, the 40-year-old Kim, who returned to competitive golf after a 12-year hiatus in 2024, had just one top-25 finish. Kim finished the 2025 season in 55th place in the individual standings and was relegated from the Saudi-backed league.
But Kim’s time out of LIV was short-lived as former World No. 6 regained his spot Sunday when he finished in solo third place at the LIV Promotions event at Black Diamond Ranch.
Kim was exempt into the second round of the four-day tournament, which awarded spots into the 2026 season to the top three finishers. Kim shot a second-round 69 and made a clutch putt on the 18th hole to make it to the weekend. He then went 66-69 over the weekend to finish in third place, four shots clear of four players who finished tied for fourth.
“This is just the first step,” Kim said after securing his spot. “I’m glad I earned my spot so everybody could quit talking s–t, and I’ll be back soon and I’ll be winning golf tournaments soon.”
Kim entered the week at Black Diamond hoping he’d punch his ticket back to LIV, but believing that his game was trending and a return to the top was coming regardless of where he teed it up in 2026.
“I’ve played a lot of golf,” Kim said. “My perspective on life has changed. My perspective on golf has changed. Obviously, it would be a great feeling to make it back on LIV and qualify. But this isn’t the only thing left for me. I’ve got a lot of things that I want to do in the future. Be competitive in golf also, but there is so much more to life than golf. I’m looking forward to playing my best in the next couple years.”
After three solid rounds in Florida, Kim will continue his golf comeback on the Saudi-backed league in 2026.
He’ll be joined by Canadian Richard T. Lee, who won the event at 11 under. The 35-year-old Lee has seven wins between the Asian Tour and the Korean Tour. He’ll be the first Canadian to join LIV.
Sweden’s Bjorn Hellgren fired a Sunday 64 to finish at six under (scores reset after Friday) and finish in second place. Hellgren was a teammate of Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger at Florida State. He won the 2025 Saudi Open on the Asian Tour.
As for Kim, Sunday’s 69 was the latest small step in a golf comeback that has asked the former Ryder Cupper to slowly rediscover the form needed to compete on the professional stage. Kim admitted that he was just trying “not to shank” the ball when he first returned. But he is gaining confidence and has been putting in the work needed to make his return worthwhile. He carded a T5 finish at the PIF Saudi International and now will return to LIV to continue his journey back.
“I’m not here to prove everyone wrong; I’m here to prove myself right,” Kim said on Sunday. “I’ve worked so hard, and this little girl right here [Kim’s daughter] is one of the reasons why. Obviously, my wife has been so supportive. I’ve had so much support behind me all year, last two years since I’ve been back. I’m so grateful to be back on this stage.”
