Anthony Kim stunned the golf world this weekend with a historic victory at the 2026 LIV Golf Adelaide event. It was intense because Kim had struggled so much on this course since he first came back two years ago. And because it was his first win in 16 years (not to mention skipping Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau in the process).
But there’s at least one way Kim can take his shocking comeback to the next level: by playing in this year’s major tournaments.
Surprisingly, Kim is currently on course to qualify for two majors in 2026 (US Open and Open Championship), which would be his first major start since 2011. Not only that, he also has potential paths to two more (Masters and PGA Championship). He also has two new terms of release and one rule change to thank.
Here’s what you need to know.
Anthony Kim’s 2026 Master’s degree status
The first, and most important, major of the year is the 2026 Masters, scheduled for April 9-12 at Augusta National. Kim recorded his best finish ever (T3) at the 2010 Masters. He was last seen in 2011.
Kim’s path to his first Masters appearance in 15 years may be the toughest of all the majors. Barring an unexpected special invitation, the only way Kim can qualify for the 2026 Masters is to reach the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) on April 6.
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Thanks to a significant legislative change made this year, Kim has a realistic chance of making it happen. Ahead of the 2026 LIV season, OWGR officially saw LIV Golf for the first time. Now, top 10 finishers in LIV events earn points at the world level.
That change paid off big for Kim on Sunday. Because of his victory at LIV Adelaide, Kim came out you are 847 to 203rd in OWGR. He still needs to make 153 rounds in April to earn tee times for the 2026 Masters.
With only three LIV tournaments remaining before the Masters, Kim will likely need another win or two to get to Augusta.
Anthony Kim’s 2026 PGA Championship eligibility status
Kim’s path to May’s PGA Championship at Aronimink, the second major of the year, also depends on world ranking. The PGA Championship’s world ranking-based exemption criteria are not as set as those of the Masters, but they tend to be more generous.
Traditionally, players ranked in the OWGR top 100 prior to the tournament receive invitations to play on the PGA. Those are a few top 50 spots for Kim to climb, and she’ll have more time to do it than she will at the Masters.
Anthony Kim’s 2026 US Open qualifying status
As with the Masters and PGA Championship, Kim could earn a spot in the 2026 US Open at world-class Shinnecock Hills.
US Open prizes are awarded to anyone ranked in the Top 60 on May 18 or the week before the tournament. So Kim could get a tee time that way.
But that’s not his only way to enter the competition.
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Last year, the USGA announced a new special exemption for the 2025 and 2026 US Opens for LIV players. For the 2026 event, “the top player not otherwise exempt and in the top 3 of the 2026 LIV Golf Individual Standings as of May 18, 2026” will receive an exemption from the tournament.
So Kim only needs to be in the Top 3 of this year’s LIV individual standings to earn a spot at the US Open, provided the players above him are exempt.
And it is easily available in AK. After his win at LIV Adelaide, Kim sits second in the LIV Individual standings with only Rahm ahead of him.
Additionally, “local exemptions” to the final 36-hole round of the US Open “will be awarded to the top 10 players from the 2025 LIV Golf Individual Standings and the top 10 players from the 2026 Individual Standings as of April 6, 2026.” So Kim can get a place in the qualifying tournament with LIV standings and play his way.
Anthony Kim’s 2026 Open Championship eligibility status
When it comes to the 2026 Open at Royal Birkdale, Kim’s chances of success are the same as the US Open.
The Open Championship will offer spots to the top 50 on the OWGR starting in late May.
But the Open is also offering an LIV-specific exemption for the 2026 event. According to the R&A, an open spot will be awarded to “the first player or anyone tied for that spot, who cannot otherwise be released, in the 2026 LIV Golf Individual Standings at the conclusion of LIV Golf Louisiana.”
As with the US Open, Kim is currently in position to earn this open exemption based on his number 2 ranking in the LIV Individual Rankings. He will need to maintain his position until the end of LIV Golf Louisiana on June 28 to reach the Open in July.
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