Tour Confidential: Where does Anthony Kim’s victory 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 sports and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week we discuss the significance of Anthony Kim’s victory, Collin Morikawa’s victory at Pebble Beach and more.

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

Josh Berhow, Editor-in-Chief (@Josh_Berhow): I guess it depends on which superlative you want to use. I don’t consider it any bigger than Rory’s grand slam win last year, but I do consider it more shocking or impressive. Many people – including us – will try to put the right context around this, but it all depends on the word we use. Is it historical? I’m not sure it’s that heavy anymore. But it may be the most impressive win since Tiger triumphed at Augusta in 2019. Regardless of your opinion on LIV Golf versus the PGA Tour, the man was still more than a decade away from the game and then won while playing a final round alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm. It would be different if those guys dropped early in the tournament, but he had to play with them, catch them up and then keep them at bay. That has to count for something.

Josh Sens, senior writer (@joshssens): It depends on the context in which you frame it. In a historical sense, it’s not nearly as important or impressive as what Tiger or Rory put together in Augusta. The event simply doesn’t matter that much to most fans or to the game itself. But as an individual achievement, it is every bit as monumental as what Woods and McIlroy have achieved. Kim was in the wilderness for over a decade and there wasn’t much indication he would ever win again at any level. As it descended the stretch it must have had the weight of a major. And he came through. In that sense it was an epic achievement.

James Colgan, news and features editor (@jamescolgan26): Let’s not be ridiculous here. No, Anthony Kim winning an LIV event does not rank as the most impressive or biggest win since Tiger at the Masters. In fact, he’s not even in the top 10. It’s mighty impressive considering the depth of his personal struggles and the length between pro victories. But no. No.

Berhow: It matters because this man was the man on the PGA tour. Young and cocky, talented and fun, he was exactly the type of player that young fans latched onto. In a way, his mysterious absence has only added to the lore. He hasn’t played very well on LIV in recent years, but it’s nice to see his story, even if he doesn’t win again, get these kind of storybook moments.

Feeling: That’s all true. One of our former colleagues aptly described him as the yeti of golf, an almost mythical figure. But beyond that there is the simple fact of what he has overcome. Kim didn’t just lose his game, as many great players have done in the past. He left the game altogether, staying away twice as long as he had played it for a living. The golf gods don’t allow such a thing. You can’t just walk away and pick it up again over ten years 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 the last time Anthony Kim won a golf tournament. I knew it by him, but I certainly didn’t know him. What golf fans like me need to know about AK’s victory is that it takes a golfer of uncommon talent to fall to the depths and come back. He is a golfer with an unusual talent, even if it is not evident from his resume. 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 past month, do you expect him to remain at the top of the league?

Berhow: I think it’s too early to say he’ll be here to compete every week, although the fact he managed to secure a spot in 2026 through LIV Promotions proves his game has improved. It will be a really fun storyline to see play out this year.

Feeling: 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 storylines have focused on who would join or leave the league. This is the rare example of an interesting story about the course.

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

Collin Morikawa birdied the 72nd hole to win the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am by one and claim his first win in 2 1/2 years. What did you think of his week? And if there is one top player destined to return in 2026, is he your choice?

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

Feeling: Morikawa played a lot of good golf last year, but seemed tense and excited and just a hair’s breadth away from when Russell Henley made fun of him at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He spent much of this week looking back to his old self. But that also included some questionable moments with his chipping, a relative weakness in his game. He threw one on 14, and I thought it was interesting that he chose to putt on 18 today from a slightly rough lie in a spot where some guys probably would have chipped. I’m curious about his confidence on the greens. But a win is a win. And while we haven’t heard much from Patrick Cantlay or Max Homa lately, I’m with Berhow. It seems like Morikawa is most likely to stand up for 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 real weakness with his putter. In the long run, playing great but putting hard and still winning isn’t a winning formula, but Scottie Scheffler showed us how far a little confidence with the flatstick can go.

Who is more annoyed to leave Pebble Beach: Scottie Scheffler, who shot in the 70s for the second week in a row on Thursday, but played almost flawless golf, but still came up a bit short? Or Akshay Bhatia, who finished five ahead after 45 holes but tied for sixth?

Berhow: Akshay! But a good learning experience for a very good, young player. Something tells me Scottie is doing well.

Feeling: Bhatia at a distance. I can’t imagine Scheffler will be thinking this week.

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

The Tour moves from one Signature event at Pebble Beach to the next at Riviera in Los Angeles. From a race perspective, is this the best back-to-back combo on the Tour schedule? If not, then what?

Berhow: Hmmm…. A good question. I think so, and I give it the edge on the Augusta National to Harbor Town stretch. The Renaissance Club (Scottish Open) to Royal Birkdale (The Open) will also be a good one.

Feeling: Augusta to Harbor Town is a great one-two punch. But Pebble to Riviera is the only route on the calendar with two consecutive World Top 100s. I’ll give it an edge.

Colgan: Yes! Pebble is a great starter and Riv is a great main course. Although when they were played together I definitely heard an argument for Memorial-US Open. Two straight shin kicks.