Challenger Anthony Kim reaches surprising ranking milestone

LIV Golf’s the future may be in doubtbut of the tournament the best story from the 2026 seasonAnthony Kim, keeps getting better.

Just a year and a half ago, Kim was ranked 2,289th Official World Golf Ranking and splash on his return to pro golf. But after his latest top LIV finish on Sunday, Kim has reached a milestone in the world rankings that no one would have believed possible in 2024.

After a top 10 at LIV Golf Virginia, where he also sealed the team victory, Kim has climbed into the top 200 at the OWGR for the first time in 14 years. However, after his round, Kim reminded reporters that he had nothing to prove, saying, “I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks of me.”

Anthony Kim shoots 62 to finish T6 at LIV Golf Virginia, climbs world rankings

Starting the final round at Trump National DC well behind the leaders, Kim made an impressive 10 birdies and zero bogeys for a final round of 10-under 62.

The last stellar round got him up the leader board in a tie for 6th, representing his second-best LIV Golf finish ever. Kim’s single best result was his historic win at LIV Golf Adelaide in February.

This season, The top 10 finishers in LIV events earn world ranking pointsand Kim’s win in Australia moved him from 847th to 203rd in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Until last week’s tournament, Kim failed to muster another top 10, dropping to 207th on the OWGR in the process. But his T6 in Virginia gave Kim another dose of world ranking points.

now, Kim has moved up to 184th place. The last time Kim was a golfer ranked in the top 200 was in 2012.

But Kim also added some secondary heroics in Virginia. Dustin Johnson, captain of the 4Aces, chose Kim to compete in a playoff for the team’s victory, and AND passed for victory.

During his team’s post-tournament press conference on Sunday in Virginia, Kim was asked if his T6 was proof that his victory in Adelaide was not a fluke. Kim responded defiantly by repeating a theme that has touched him many times this year: he has nothing to prove to anyone but his family.

“I don’t give a sh— what anyone thinks of me. I work hard. I stick with my family. Happy Mother’s Day, Emily. To my mom, to all the moms who work hard, sacrifice for their kids.”

He continued: “Yeah, I don’t give a sh—. That’s what I do. I’m just going to keep working hard and keep getting better and see whatever happens.”

The top finish wasn’t enough to earn Kim an exemption into next month’s US Open. The top player in the LIV Golf rankings, not otherwise qualified, wins times at Shinnecock Hills. Kim was in contention, but Lucas Herbert earned the exemption with his individual title at LIV Golf Virginia. Herbert is currently ranked 3rd in the LIV individual rankings, while Kim is ranked 5th.

The 2026 Open offers a similar exception and Kim has two more events to try to move ahead of Herbert and secure meeting time at Royal Birkdale in July.

Kim ended his team’s press conference on a positive note, expressing his gratitude for the support he has received from fans during his comeback.

“Man, it’s unbelievable. Obviously I was playing good golf 20 years ago where some people knew who I was, but the support that I’m getting from people, not just golfers, but people outside of golf who are struggling with their issues, because we all have them, has been nothing short of amazing,” Kim said Sunday. “I really can’t believe how many people are influenced by me just trying to play golf. I know I’m very blessed to do this. So it’s up to me to keep working hard.”