LIV Golf Adelaide: Anthony Kim Makes Beautiful Comeback to Get First Win in 16 Years

[ad_1] Anthony Kim accomplished one of the vital inspirational – and unbelievable – comebacks that skilled golf has ever seen, outdueling Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau to win the person title at LIV Golf Adelaide on Sunday.

After 12.5 years away from aggressive play because of accidents and private challenges, Kim returned in 2024 to affix LIV Golf. He struggled early whereas attempting to shed the rust and recapture the magic throughout his early years as a professional.

Because of his mantra of "1% higher each day" dedication, he’s proven dramatic enchancment the previous few months – and this week at The Grange, he accomplished the journey, proving that something is feasible. Not solely did Kim seize his first win of any variety in almost 16 years, he did so whereas within the remaining group towards two of the most effective gamers on this planet who merely couldn't sustain along with his iron play and scorching putter.

"I am very overwhelmed with this sense proper now," mentioned Kim, who started the week understanding visa points to get into Australia, then formally signed with 4Aces GC simply earlier than the match began. "However my plan is to maintain getting higher and begin successful some extra trophies."

Whereas Kim’s story is compelling, the hometown win by Ripper GC for the crew title was equally as celebrated by the Adelaide followers, as Captain Cameron Smith and membership rallied previous Rahm’s Legion XIII crew for a two-shot win, their second at house in three years. Marc Leishman led the way in which for Ripper, taking pictures a 7-under 65. Lucas Herbert and Elvis Smylie shot matching 3-under 69s whereas Smith shot a 2-under 70.

"Unreal. So good," mentioned Smith, whose crew additionally received final week’s season opener in Riyadh, turning into the primary LIV Golf crew to say the primary two tournaments of a season. "We had a coaching camp earlier than the season, and this was our purpose, to win this occasion, and we did it. It is fairly particular whenever you tick off a purpose this early within the season."

Particular was definitely how Kim carried out on Sunday, taking pictures a 9-under 63 to complete at 23 underneath whereas overcoming a five-shot deficit to Rahm and DeChambeau.

DeChambeau suffered two early bogeys, whereas Rahm was holding on with pars, however it was Kim who ultimately received the new hand. He rattled off birdies on Nos. 4, 5, 7, and 9, shrinking the deficit to only one because the trio of stars made the flip. Rahm made the flip at even par for the day, whereas DeChambeau limped to a 4-over entrance 9.

After each Kim and Rahm made pars on 10 and 11, the 40-year-old Kim stepped as much as the tee at The Watering Gap – the par-3 twelfth at The Grange – the place the gang was ready to erupt. He delivered a strong tee shot to only inside 17 toes, giving himself a very good take a look at birdie amid the chaos of cheers and passionate golf followers.

Sensing the second, he rolled the putt useless heart into the cup, tying Rahm for the lead. The gang completely roared, and Kim unleashed an enormous fist pump, one loaded with years of pent-up emotion, frustration, and fireplace. Extra fist pumps would comply with as Kim made birdies on holes 13, 14, 15 and 17 to grab management of the match.

"I am too previous to be reacting like that as a result of I feel I pulled one thing in my hip," Kim joked. "However I'll say that that was all of the lows that I went by way of in my life that I received to dig out of. Each putt that went in, I felt the battle, and I used to be overcoming it. It was therapeutic on the market to battle by way of it and are available out on high."

DeChambeau could not get well from his shaky entrance 9 and stumbled to a 2-over 74, fading out of competition totally. Rahm merely couldn't match Kim’s magic, ultimately claiming solo second for the second consecutive week.

"In a bizarre approach, as a competitor, I most likely shouldn’t say this, however that was a pleasure to look at," Rahm mentioned of Kim. "To see that picture on 18 of him hugging his spouse and daughter, any man with a soul goes to have a tender spot for that. I used to be virtually tearing up."

He wasn’t the one one, as Kim succeeded in a approach few thought attainable when he determined to return to golf.

"I used to be in a position to produce some good golf right this moment. I knew it was coming," Kim mentioned. "No one else has to consider in me however me, and for anyone that is struggling, you may get by way of something."

TOP OF THE LEADERBOARDS Particular person High 10

1 (-23) – Anthony Kim, 4Aces (67-67-68-63)

2 (-20) – Jon Rahm, Legion XIII (68-63-66-71)

T3 (-17) – Bryson DeChambeau, Crushers (66-67-64-74); Tyrrell Hatton, Legion XIII (69-69-66-67); Peter Uihlein, RangeGoats (69-67-67-68)

T6 (-16) – Lucas Herbert, Ripper (71-65-67-69); Dean Burmester, Southern Guards (69-71-67-65)

T8 (-15) – Cameron Smith, Ripper (72-67-64-70); Sebastian Munoz, Torque (69-67-69-68); Branden Grace, Southern Guards (71-64-69-69); Marc Leishman, Ripper (66-72-70-65)