After spending the past two seasons on LIV Golf, Anthony Kim’s golf comeback hit a snag when he finished the 2025 season on LIV’s ‘Drop Zone’.
In two seasons at LIV, the 40-year-old Kim, who returned to competitive golf in 2024 after a 12-year hiatus, had just one top-25 finish. Kim finished the 2025 season in 55th place in the individual rankings and was relegated from the Saudi Arabia-backed league.
But Kim’s time out at LIV was short-lived as former world No. 6 regained his spot on Sunday when he finished solo in third place at the LIV Promotions event at Black Diamond Ranch.
Kim was exempted from the second round of the four-day tournament, in which places for the 2026 season were awarded to the top three finishers. Kim shot a 69 in the second round and made a clutch putt on the 18th hole to make the weekend. He then went 66-69 all weekend and finished in third place, four shots ahead of four players tied for fourth.
“This is just the first step,” Kim said after securing his spot. “I’m glad I earned my spot so everyone can stop talking, and I’ll be back soon and I’ll be winning golf tournaments soon.”
Kim entered the week at Black Diamond hoping to punch his ticket back to LIV, but believed his play was trending and a return to the top was on the horizon regardless of where he ends up in 2026.
“I played a lot of golf,” Kim said. “My perspective on life has changed. My perspective on golf has changed. It would obviously be a great feeling to return to LIV and qualify. But this is not the only thing left for me. I have a lot of things I want to do in the future. Also be competitive in golf, but there is so much more to life than just golf. I look forward to playing my best in the coming years.”
After three solid rounds in Florida, Kim will continue his golf comeback in the Saudi-backed league in 2026.
He will be joined by Canadian Richard T. Lee, who won the event at the age of 11. The 35-year-old Lee has recorded seven victories between the Asian Tour and the Korean Tour. He will be the first Canadian to join LIV.
Swede Bjorn Hellgren fired a Sunday 64 to finish at six under (scores reset after Friday) and 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 golfing comeback that has required the former Ryder Cupper to slowly rediscover the form needed to compete on the professional stage. Kim admitted that he was just trying to “not shake” the ball when he first returned. But he is growing in confidence and has put in the necessary work to make his return worthwhile. He achieved a T5 finish at the PIF Saudi International and now returns to LIV to continue his journey back home.
“I’m not here to prove everyone wrong; I’m here to prove me right,” Kim said on Sunday. “I’ve been working so hard, and this little girl here [Kim’s daughter] is one of the reasons why. Obviously my wife has been so supportive of me. I’ve had so much support behind me all year, the last two years since I’ve been back. I am so grateful to be on this stage again.”
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