In a story of remarkable personal redemption, former Ryder Cup star Anthony Kim has fought his way back from the brink of death to secure a dramatic return to professional golf with LIV Golf for the 2026 season.
From Rock Bottom to Redemption
The American golfer, now 40, spent 12 years away from the sport battling severe drug and alcohol addiction, which led him to enter a rehabilitation facility. During this dark period, Kim received a devastating medical prognosis. "Three years ago, doctors had told me that I potentially had two weeks to live," he revealed after securing his LIV Golf spot.
Kim's journey back began with a wildcard entry into the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league in 2024, but he was relegated after his first season. Undeterred, he fought through the LIV Golf Promotions event in Florida last week, where only three tour cards were available. Needing a 36-foot birdie putt on his final hole on Friday just to make the cut for the weekend, Kim carded impressive rounds of 66 and 69 to clinch the final qualifying place.
Faith, Sobriety and a New Purpose
Kim credits his astonishing turnaround to finding faith and maintaining sobriety. "I found faith in rehab and in my sobriety," he stated. He celebrated his qualification not with alcohol, but with an iced tea, symbolising his new path. The former world number six, who won three times on the PGA Tour, insists this comeback is about more than just golf.
"I'm so grateful that God has given me this opportunity to showcase what I'm best at," Kim said, adding that his return is a blessing after being written off by many. He also issued a defiant message to his doubters: "To all the people that don't feel I belong, they can suck it now... I'm glad I get to throw this in their face."
An Inspiration to the Golf World
Kim's return provides a significant boost to LIV Golf, which recently lost major champion Brooks Koepka. His story has resonated deeply within the sport. Fellow golf legend Phil Mickelson took to social media to applaud the achievement, writing: "AK gets his life back and now his golf game is back. He’s on LIV Golf for 2026. Congratulations! Truly inspirational."
Now fully focused on competing at the highest level again, Kim has set his sights firmly on victory. "I'll be back winning golf tournaments soon," he pledged. He dismissed any notion of being a recreational player, joking that if he was playing for fun and shooting high scores, "I might need to go back to that rehab facility." For Anthony Kim, this hard-earned promotion is just the first step in an extraordinary second chapter of his career and life.
