Anthony Kim — who joined the LIV Golf tour in March 2024 after being out of golf for 12 years due initially to a torn Achilles tendon in his left leg and later drug and alcohol issues — is a champion once more, finishing some of the exceptional comebacks in golf — and sports activities — historical past.
And he did it fashion, outdueling two of golf’s largest names, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, who had been within the ultimate group with him.
The 40-year-old Kim shot a ultimate spherical 9-under-par 63 on Sunday to complete at -23 to win the LIV Golf Adelaide event in Australia by three strokes over Rahm who was simply one-under within the ultimate spherical. It was the second straight runner-up end for Rahm.
DeChambeau, who struggled with a ultimate spherical 74 on the par 72 The Grange Golf Membership, completed in a three-way tie for third at -17.
Heading into the fourth spherical, it seemed like it will be a heavyweight battle between Rahm and DeChambeau.
They had been each tied for the lead at -19. Kim, who was within the ultimate group with the 2 powerhouses, was 5 again at -14, with many probably pondering a great end would construct on his current momentum, however not that he would win the event over two of golf’s finest.
Kim’s comeback victory in his thirty fifth LIV Golf begin is all of the extra exceptional, contemplating the very fact he struggled in his first two seasons and performed himself out of the league.
However Kim performed his approach again on to the league with a high 3 end within the LIV Golf Promotion occasion on Jan. 12 this yr (solely three spots had been obtainable for league re-entry). He completed tied for twenty second within the LIV Golf Riyadh occasion within the first event of the season earlier than Sunday’s gorgeous victory.
What makes Kim’s thrilling comeback win extra noteworthy was the very fact he was one of many High PGA Tour gamers on the earth and on the cusp of superstardom earlier than he suffered his Achilles tendon harm.
Kim, who turned professional in 2006, received three PGA Tour occasions — capturing the AT&T Nationwide and Wachovia Championship in 2008 and the Shell Houston Open in 2010. He additionally performed on the 2008 Ryder Cup group at Valhalla wherein he was a key a part of the profitable group, defeating Sergio García 5&4 within the Sunday singles.
