Tour Confidential: Where does Anthony Kim’s win rank in recent golf history?

Check in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we discuss the significance of Anthony Kim’s win, Collin Morikawa’s triumph at Pebble Beach and more.

Anthony Kim came from five strokes back to chase down Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau and win LIV Golf Adelaide and claim his first victory since 2010. Given Kim’s 12 1/2-year absence from pro golf — and the fact he was basically never heard from during that span — where would you say this victory ranks among some of the biggest that have happened in the last several years? Is it the most impressive or biggest since Tiger’s 2019 Masters win? Or does Rory still hold that honor?

Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): I think it depends on what superlative you want to use. I don’t consider it bigger than Rory’s grand slam-clinching win last year, but I do consider it more shocking or impressive. A lot of people — us included — will try to put the proper context around this, but it all depends on the word we use. Is it historical? I’m not sure it’s that heavy yet. But it might be the most impressive win since Tiger triumphed at Augusta in 2019. Regardless of one’s opinion of LIV Golf vs. the PGA Tour, the man was still away from the game for over a decade and then won while playing a final round alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm. It would be different if those guys faded early in the tournament, but he had to play with them, catch up to them and then hold them off. That has to count for something.

Josh Sens, senior writer (@joshsens): Depends on the context in which you frame it. In the historical sense, it’s nowhere near as significant or impressive as what Tiger or Rory pulled off at Augusta. The event simply doesn’t matter that much to most fans or to the game itself. But as an individual achievement, it’s every bit as monumental as what Woods and McIlroy accomplished. Kim was in the wilderness for more than a decade, and there wasn’t much indication he was ever going to win again on any level. As he was coming down the stretch, this one must have had the weight of a major. And he came through. In that sense, it was an epic feat.

James Colgan, news and features editor (@jamescolgan26): Let’s not be ridiculous here. No, Anthony Kim winning a LIV event does not rank as the most impressive or biggest victory since Tiger at the Masters. Hell, it doesn’t rank even in the top 10. It’s wildly impressive given the depth of his personal strife and the length between pro victories. But no. No.

There’s a large population of golf fans who started following the game when Kim, now 40, was away from it. Why does this victory matter? Why should they think it’s important?

Berhow: It matters because this guy was the man on the PGA Tour. Young and cocky and talented and fun, he was the exact type of player young fans cling to. In a way, his mysterious absence only added to the lore. He hasn’t played as well on LIV the last couple of years, but it’s nice to see his story, even if he doesn’t win again, get this type of storybook moment.

Sens: That’s all true. One of our former colleagues aptly described him as golf’s yeti, a near-mythic figure. But beyond that, there’s the simple fact of what he overcame. Kim didn’t just lose his game, as many great players have in the past. He left the game entirely and stayed away for twice as long as he’d played it for a living. The golf gods don’t allow that kind of thing. You don’t get to just walk away and pick it up again more than a decade later. But that’s exactly what he did.

Colgan: Hey, I’m actually one of those golf fans. I was 12 years old and nothing more than a casual fan when Anthony Kim last won a golf tournament. I knew of him, but I certainly didn’t know him. What golf fans like me should know about AK’s victory is that it takes a golfer of unusual talent to fall to his depths and return. He is a golfer of unusual talent, even if his resume doesn’t show it. And that makes his story much more fascinating. 

What’s next for AK? Do you consider this a one-off? Or based on his play over the last month, do you expect him to stick around among the league’s top tier of players?

Berhow: I think it’s too early to say he’s here to contend every week, although the fact that he got through LIV Promotions to get a spot in 2026 proves his game has been improving. It will be a really fun storyline to see play out this year.

Sens: The only thing predictable in professional golf is Scottie Scheffler. Everything else is anyone’s guess. But I’m with Berhow. In the years since LIV launched, the most compelling plotlines have centered on who might join or leave the league. This is the rare example of an interesting on-course story.

Colgan: Hopefully a few more wins! If you’re a golf fan invested in the growth of golf, the only thing better than one planet-shattering victory is 10 of them. 

Collin Morikawa birdied the 72nd hole to win the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am by one and claim his first victory in 2 1/2 years. What did you think of his week? And if there’s one top player destined to bounce back in 2026, is he your pick?

Berhow: This week kind of came out of nowhere for Collin. He missed the cut in Hawaii and tied for 54th in Phoenix last week, although his 2025 results don’t suggest he was lost or anything (18 of 21 cuts and 13 top 25s). It’s always going to be about the putter for him, and Pebble’s Poa annua greens are unpredictable. He’s about as good of a bounce-back candidate as I can think of.

Sens: Morikawa played a lot of good golf last year, but seemed edgy and agitated and just a hair off from the moment Russell Henley chipped in for eagle on him at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He looked back to his old self for a lot of this week. But that included some iffy moments with his chipping, a relative weakness in his game. He flubbed one on 14, and I thought it was interesting that he chose to putt from a slightly shaggy lie today on 18 in a place where some guys likely would have chipped. I wonder about his confidence around the greens. But a win’s a win. And though we haven’t heard much from Patrick Cantlay or Max Homa lately, I’m with Berhow. Morikawa seems like the most likely to reassert himself in 2026.

Colgan: I was super impressed with Collin’s week. Not just because he played great golf when it counted on the weekend, but because he did so despite true weakness with his putter. It’s not a winning formula in the long-term to play great but putt like hell and win anyway, but Scottie Scheffler has shown us how far a little confidence with the flatstick can go. 

Who is more bummed leaving Pebble Beach: Scottie Scheffler, who for the second straight week shot in the 70s on Thursday but played near flawless golf after only to come up a little short again? Or Akshay Bhatia, who led by five after 45 holes but tied for 6th?

Berhow: Akshay! But a good learning experience for a really good, young player. Something tells me Scottie will be fine.

Sens: Bhatia by a long shot. I don’t imagine Scheffler will be giving this week a second thought.

Colgan: I thought Scottie was the happiest he looked all week after just losing out on Sunday afternoon. His game is still red-hot, he just wasn’t scoring. Akshay had lightning in a bottle and lost it.

The Tour heads from one Signature Event at Pebble Beach to the next at Riviera in Los Angeles. From a course standpoint, is this the best back-to-back combo on the Tour schedule? If not, what is?

Berhow: Hmmm…. A good question. I think it is, and I’ll give it the edge over the Augusta National-to-Harbour Town stretch. The Renaissance Club (Scottish Open) to Royal Birkdale (The Open) is also going to be a good one.

Sens: Augusta to Harbour Town is a great one-two. But Pebble to Riviera is the only stretch in the calendar with two consecutive World Top 100s. I’ll give it the edge.

Colgan: Yes! Pebble is a hell of an appetizer, and Riv is a hell of a main course. Though, back when they were played together, I’d certainly hear an argument for Memorial-U.S. Open. Two straight shin-kicks.