How does it happen – and what does it mean?
Hello, grace, stop by Saturday night (or early Sunday morning). Anthony Kim is a winner once again, completing the biggest chapter in a shocking comeback story with a victory at LIV Australia. Below, GOLF editors Dylan Dethier, Sean Zak and James Colgan discuss the biggest moments, emotions, and takeaways from golf’s unexpected valentine.
1. Guys, it’s almost 1 am in Chicago but I won’t be sleeping anytime soon because Anthony Kim just won at LIV Golf. It is impossible to put everything into his story, his years away from the game, his battle with drug abuse and his struggles since his comeback. But on Sunday in Australia, he shot 63 to beat Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. What are you thinking right now?
Dylan Dethier, senior author: It’s impossible. That’s what I always think. It’s impossible. Anthony Kim’s early comeback golf was fascinating, compelling theater. But there was no sign that this was coming. He did not compete in his first two years at LIV. He was taken down. That seemed to be the expected but inevitable conclusion of the experiment. I was surprised and impressed that he made it through LIV’s Promotions event to earn his spot; that was impressive. But chasing Rahm and Bryson in the final round of LIV’s biggest event is the same, six stages away. It’s shocking on several levels.
Sean Zak, senior author: I’ve spent a lot of time this evening just laughing at myself. It’s so funny that I couldn’t hear anything but gleeful laughter. He underestimated two of the best players in the world and hit three or more of them. That was among the most fun golf watches I’ve had in a very long time. (Sorry for ignoring, like, everything from AK’s past, which is the important point!)
James Colgan, news and features editor: I think the last time Anthony Kim won a golf tournament, there was no Instagram. Literally. The fact that your undefeated streak can include three Presidential administrations, a ten-year absence from public life, two years of the most disappointing tournament golf of anyone in the world … and you STILL end up winning? There are no names. That’s just the magic of golf.
2. DeChambeau ran out early, but Rahm continued to circle. Kim had to do everything. In the end, he won by three. What was at the top of your mind when you watched it play?
Dethier Outside of the Ryder Cup, you don’t see guys hitting much these days. But AK kept pouring putts in and releasing haymakers. He didn’t miss the last…two hours? I kept waiting for the size of the time to hit, the pressure of practice. If the opposite happens.
Zak: When was the last time we saw someone who hit so many putts come back to steal the tournament? We were in St. Andrews and Cam Smith. Maybe that’s why I was laughing throughout this whole thing. Everything went into the middle of the cup like there was nowhere for these putts to go. It reminds me of Paul Azinger’s phrase from the day after Smith had that birdie putt on the Old Course: “His putts, they would have fallen in the well.”
Colgan: I was thinking, every now and then, how a player copes with a few hours when the hole seems to be the size of an asteroid crater. And I was thinking about how Anthony Kim was having some of those experiences.
3. Is there any way you can sum it all up for those who haven’t been following Kim’s journey closely?
Dethier: See, the interesting thing about Kim is not just that she retired at a young age. That he he disappeared. Off the grid. Out of the public eye. For more than a decade, the golf world — except for a small, loyal circle — didn’t know what to do. It felt like a big deal every time we saw him at all.
At the beginning of this project I wrote about Kim’s interaction with a student named Ben outside of an LA brunch spot. It felt like a big deal at the time; he had been gone for a long time. He said his golf game was “non-existent.” That happened seven years ago. Look, I’m not saying you just won the Kings. But for a guy to be so far from the game for so long? I just can’t think of any similarities.
Zak: This may be a tricky question, actually. Because Kim shared just a glimpse of what she really fought for. I get the sense that he is interested in sharing more about his addiction and depression and how it pushed his life to the edge. Now you’ve created a great ending, and I think we’ll actually get more context in the future. I will look forward to reading more when it is ready.
Colgan: On February 20, 2025, Anthony Kim celebrated two drunken years (ironic, given my previous analogy) on Instagram. He described in detail suffering from these terrible withdrawal symptoms in his first days in rehab to the point where he needed physical help to walk. He suggested that she use drugs while playing in major tournaments. And THAT story? That story didn’t include the ten years he had spent away or the other golf stuff he had to work on to get into the 100. miles of victory … not to mention in the winner’s circle.
4. There were hugs for Kim after her win from all kinds of LIV cast members. One was the CEO of the league, Scott O’Neil, which made me think a lot about the league as a whole. Does this mean anything more about LIV Golf?
Dethier: I have to be honest: at this moment, I don’t know. In many ways this feels more like an Anthony Kim story than a LIV story – but the big crowds and frenetic energy on site contributed a lot to a wild night of golf viewing, so the fact that it made it to LIV’s flagship event must be a triumph.
I think here’s what I’m sure of: this was the greatest, truest moment of the league so far. A truly fascinating story that meets a strange golf course. You can’t build an entire plane with AK’s return — he can win the first time! – but it’s safe to say they’ll take Rahm-Bryson-AK at all events if it’s left.
Zak: Imagine if this happened last week, when LIV Golf played under the lights in front of the Saudi Arabian crowd. Now ditch that image, because it took place in Adelaide, in what event organizers are calling golf’s biggest ever event. Australian history. It might not be LIV’s first story, but AK gave LIV some of the best shots he’s ever had in real competition. Fans crowded the 18th hole, AK raised his hand as the champion stepped onto the green, champagne showering over his green. That trumps any on-stage champagne-and-sparklers we’ve seen in the past four years.
Colgan: Yes of course! We’re up at god-knows-what hour talking about the LIV event! That’s a change from the league norm in a very big way. And Sean, to your point about crowds … important question: Why doesn’t LIV play MORE events in Australia?
