After spending the last two seasons in LIFE GolfAnthony Kim’s golf comeback was stymied when he finished the 2025 season in LIV’s Drop Zone.
In two seasons on LIV, 40-year-old Kim, who returned to competitive golf after a 12-year hiatus in 2024, there was only one top-25 finish. Kim finished the 2025 season ranked 55th in the individual rankings and was kicked out of the Saudi-backed league.
But Kim’s time away from LIV was short-lived as the former world No. 6 reclaimed his spot on Sunday when he finished in third place alone at the LIV Promotions event at Black Diamond Ranch.
Kim was eliminated in the second round of the four-day tournament, which awarded spots in the 2026 season to the top three finishers. Kim shot a 69 in the second round and made a clutch putt on the 18th hole to advance to the weekend. He then went 66-69 over the weekend to finish in third place, four shots clear of the four players who finished tied for fourth.
“This is just the first step,” Kim said after securing his seat. “I’m glad I won my place so everyone can stop talking st, and I’ll be back soon and winning golf tournaments soon.”
Kim entered the week at Black Diamond hoping to get his ticket back to LIV, but believing his game was trending and a return to the top was coming no matter where he used it in 2026.
“I played a lot of golf,” Kim said. “My perspective on life has changed. My perspective on golf has changed. Obviously, it would be a great feeling to go back to LIV and qualify. But that’s not the only thing I have left. I have a lot of things I want to do in the future. Be competitive in golf, but there’s a lot more to life than golf. I’m looking forward to playing my best in the next two years.”
After three solid rounds in Florida, Kim will continue his return to golf in the Saudi-backed league in 2026.
He will be joined by Canadian Richard T. Lee, who won the event at the age of 11. The 35-year-old Lee has seven wins between the Asian and Korean tournaments. He will be the first Canadian to join LIV.
Sweden’s Bjorn Hellgren shot a 64 on Sunday to finish at six under (scores reset after Friday) and finish in second place. Hellgren was a teammate of Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger at Florida State. He won the Saudi Arabia 2025 Asian Tour.
As for Kim, Sunday’s 69 was the latest small step in a golf comeback that has required the former Ryder Cupper to slowly rediscover the form needed to compete on the professional stage. Kim admitted he was just trying to “not squeeze” the ball when he first returned. But he is gaining confidence and has put in the work necessary to make his return worthwhile. it sculpted a T5 end at PIF Saudi International and will now return to LIV to continue its return journey.
“I’m not here to prove everyone wrong; I’m here to prove them right.” said Kim on sunday. “I’ve worked so hard, and this little girl here (Kim’s daughter) is one of the reasons why. Obviously, my wife has been so supportive. I’ve had so much support throughout the year, the last two years since I’ve been back. I’m so grateful to be back on this stage.”
