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Kim’s Fairytale Return: LIV Adelaide Victory Caps 16-Year Comeback

Anthony Kim clinches his first title in 16 years at LIV Golf Adelaide, completing one of sport’s most remarkable comeback stories.

Anthony Kim has completed one of golf’s most improbable comebacks, capturing his first professional title in 16 years at LIV Golf Adelaide. The South Korean golfer’s emotional victory at The Grange Golf Club marks a remarkable return to the winner’s circle after a lengthy absence from competitive golf.

Kim’s win represents a significant milestone in his return to professional competition. The victory comes at LIV Golf League‘s second event of the season, held February 12-15 at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, Australia. The event carries substantial prize money, with the individual winner receiving $4 million and team winners earning $3 million from the $30 million total purse.

A Comeback Against the Odds

Kim’s return to form comes after stepping away from professional golf for more than a decade. The golfer’s triumph at Adelaide demonstrates his ability to compete at the highest level alongside established names in LIV Golf, where he faces competition from world-class players including Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith.

The Adelaide event also marked historic significance for the LIV Golf League, as it was the first competition to award Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. This development further legitimizes the tour’s standing in professional golf.

Adelaide Roster and Competition

Kim’s victory takes place in the context of strong performances from other Australian players competing on home soil. The Ripper GC team, featuring Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, Lucas Herbert, and 23-year-old Elvis Smylie—who won his LIV debut in Riyadh the previous week—proved competitive both in the individual and team competitions.

The Adelaide tournament represents one of several major golf events competing for attention in the second week of February 2026, alongside the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the PGA Tour Champions’ Chubb Classic in Florida.