Where does Anthony Kim rank in recent golf history?

Come in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they analyze the hottest topics in sports, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @igalofu_com. This week, we discuss the significance of Anthony Kim’s win, Collin Morikawa’s win at Pebble Beach and more.

Anthony Kim came from five tournaments back to oust Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau to 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 that he hasn’t been heard from since — what would you say this victory has been in the past few years? Is it the most impressive or the 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 how high you want to use it. I don’t consider it bigger than Rory’s slam-clinching win last year, but I do consider it less shocking or more impressive. Many people – including us – will try to put the right context in this regard, but it all depends on the word we use. Is it history? I’m not sure we still survive that way. But it might be the most impressive win since Tiger won at Augusta in 2019. Regardless of what one thought of LIV Golf vs. On the PGA Tour, the man had been out of the game for more than a decade and won while playing the final round alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm. It would be different if those guys faded early in the competition, but he had to play with them, catch them and catch them. That should count for something.

Josh Sens, senior author (@joshsens): It depends on the context you put it in. Historically, it’s nowhere near as significant or impressive as what Tiger or Rory pulled off at Augusta. The event doesn’t matter much to most fans or to the game itself. But as an individual achievement, it is as monumental as what Woods and McIlroy accomplished. Kim was in the wilderness for more than a decade, and there wasn’t much to show that he would ever win again at any level. As he came down, this one must have weighed a lot. And he passed. In that sense, it was an amazing feat.

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

There are a number of golf fans who have started following the game while Kim, now 40, has been away. Why is this victory important? Why should they think it’s important?

How: It’s important because this guy was like that i a man on the PGA Tour. Young and cocky and talented and fun, he was exactly the type of player that young fans latched onto. In a way, his mysterious absence adds to the teaching. He hasn’t played well at LIV in the last few years, but it’s nice to see his story, even if he doesn’t win again, get this kind of storybook time.

Senses: All of that is true. One of my former colleagues best described him as the yeti of golf, an almost mythical figure. But beyond that, there is the simple truth of what he has overcome. Kim didn’t just lose his game, as many top players have in the past. He left the game entirely and stayed twice as long as he had played it for a living. The golf gods don’t allow this kind of thing. You don’t just get to go and pick it up again over a decade later. But that’s exactly what he did.

Colgan: Hello, I am actually one of those golf fans. I was 12 years old and just a casual fan when Anthony Kim won his last golf tournament. I came 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 extraordinary talent to fall out of his depth and come back. He is an extraordinarily talented golfer, even if his resume doesn’t show it. And that makes his story all the more compelling.

What’s next for AK? Do you consider this one? Or based on his performance in the last month, do you expect him to continue to be among the top players?

How: I think it’s too early to say that he’s here to compete every week, although the fact that he passed through LIV Promotions for a spot in 2026 proves that his game has improved. It will be an interesting story to see him play this year.

Senses: The only predictable thing in professional golf is Scottie Scheffler. Everything else is anyone’s guess. But I have Berhow. In the years since LIV’s launch, the most compelling lines have centered around who can join or leave the league. This is a rare example of an interesting academic story.

Colgan: Hopefully a few more will win! If you’re a golf enthusiast invested in the growth of golf, the only thing better than one of your 10 planet-shattering victories.

Collin Morikawa carded a 72-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 is one top player destined to return in 2026, is it him?

How: This week, Collin just showed up. He missed the cut in Hawaii and tied for 54th in Phoenix last week, though his 2025 results don’t suggest he’s missed anything (18 of 21 cuts and 13 top 25s). It will always be about the putter for him, and Pebble’s Poa annua greens are unpredictable. He’s probably more like a bouncer than I think.

Senses: Morikawa played excellent golf last year, but he looked angry and frustrated and his hair pulled out from the moment Russell Henley went in for eagle at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He looked back on his personality for a long time this week. But that included some iffy moments with his chipping, a relative weakness in his game. He hit one on 14, and I thought it was interesting that he chose to put the green lie today on 18 in a place where other guys would have been careful. I wonder about his confidence around the green. But a win is a win. And while we haven’t heard much from Patrick Cantlay or Max Homa lately, I have Berhow. Morikawa looks to be the most likely to reassert himself in 2026.

Colgan: I was very impressed with Collin’s week. Not because he played big golf where it counted on the weekend, but because he did it despite a real weakness with his putter. It’s not a winning formula in the long run to play well but putt like hell and win anyway, but Scottie Scheffler showed us just how far a little confidence with the flatstick can go.

Who’s the most upset about leaving Pebble Beach: Scottie Scheffler, who shot in the 70s for a second week in a row Thursday but played near-perfect golf after making another brief appearance? Or Akshay Bhatia, who led by five after 45 holes but tied for 6th?

How: Akshay! But it’s a great learning experience for a really good, young player. Something tells me Scottie will be fine.

Senses: Bhatia by a long shot. I don’t think Scheffler will be giving it a second thought this week.

Colgan: I thought Scottie was the one I am very happy he looked all week after just losing on Sunday afternoon. His game is still on fire, he was not scoring goals. Akshay had lightning in a bottle and lost him.

The tour goes from one Signature event in Pebble Beach to the next on the Riviera in Los Angeles. From a course perspective, is this the best combination to fall back on the tour schedule? If not, what is it?

How: Hmmm…. Good question. I think so, and I’ll give it the edge over the Augusta National-to-Harbor Town stretch. The Renaissance Club (Scottish Open) to Royal Birkdale (The Open) will also be good.

Senses: Augusta to Harbor Town is a one-two punch. But Pebble to Riviera is the only calendar with two consecutive World Top 100s. I’ll give you the edge.

Colgan: Yes! Pebble is a hell of an appetizer, and Riv is a hell of a main course. Although, back when they were played together, I could hear the Memorial-US Open controversy. Two straight shin-kicks.