Where does Anthony Kim’s win rank in recent golf history?

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Anthony Kim came back from five shots to chase Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau and won the LIV Golf Adelaide for his first win since 2010. Given Kim’s 12 1/2-year absence from professional golf — and the fact that he was essentially never heard from during that span — where would you say this win ranks among some of the biggest to come along in recent years? Is it the most impressive or the biggest since Tiger’s 2019 Masters win? Or does Rory still hold that honor?

Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): I guess it depends on what superlative you want to use. I don’t consider it bigger than Rory’s win last year, but I do consider it more shocking or impressive. Many people – including us – will try to put the right context around this, but it all depends on the word we use. Is it historical? I’m not sure it’s that heavy yet. But it may be the most impressive win since Tiger triumphed at Augusta in 2019. Regardless of one’s opinion of LIV Golf vs. the PGA Tour, the man was still away from the game for more than a decade and then won while playing a final round alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm. It would be different if those guys faded early in the tournament, but he had to play with them, get to them and then stop them. That has to count for something.

Josh Sens, senior writer (@joshsens): It depends on the context in which you frame it. In a historical sense, it’s not as significant or impressive as what Tiger or Rory accomplished at Augusta. The event simply doesn’t matter much to most fans or the game itself. But as an individual achievement, it’s every bit as monumental as what Woods and McIlroy achieved. Kim was in the wilderness for more than a decade and there wasn’t much indication that he would win again at any level. As it descended, this one must have weighed a major. And he passed. In that sense, it was an epic work.

James Colgan, news and features editor (@jamescolgan26): Let’s not be ridiculous here. No, Anthony Kim’s win in an LIV event does not rank as the most impressive or the biggest win since Tiger at the Masters. Hell, it’s not even ranked in the top 10. That’s extremely impressive considering the depth of his personal feud and length between pro wins. But no. No.

There is a large population of golf fans who started following the game when Kim, now 40, was away. Why does this win matter? Why should they think it’s important?

Berhow: It matters because this guy was THE man on the PGA Tour. Young and cocky, talented and fun, he was the exact type of player that young fans latched onto. Somehow, his mysterious absence only added to the knowledge. He hasn’t played that well at LIV the last two years, but it’s good to see his story, even if he doesn’t win again, get this kind of storybook moment.

Meaning: This is all true. One of our former colleagues aptly described him as the Yeti of golf, an almost mythical figure. But beyond that, it’s the simple fact of what he overcame. Kim didn’t just lose his game, as many great players have done in the past. He quit the game entirely and stayed away for twice as long as he had played it for a living. The golf gods don’t allow that. You can’t leave and get it again more than a decade later. But that’s exactly what he did.

Colgan: Hey, I’m actually one of those golf fans. I was 12 years old and nothing more than a casual fan when Anthony Kim last won a golf tournament. i knew e him, but of course I didn’t know him. What golf fans like myself need to know about AK’s victory is that it takes a golfer of unusual talent to hit the deep end and come back. He is a golfer of unusual talent, even if his resume doesn’t show it. And that makes his story that much more fascinating.

What will happen next for CA? Do you consider this once? Or based on his play over the last month, do you expect him to stay among the top players in the league?

Berhow: I think it’s too early to say he’s here to fight every week, although the fact that he came through LIV Promotions to get a spot in 2026 proves that his game has been improving. It’s going to be a really fun story to watch play out this year.

Meaning: The only predictable thing in professional golf is Scottie Scheffler. Everything else is anyone’s guess. But I’m with Berhow. In the years since LIV’s inception, the most compelling lines have centered on who might join or leave the league. This is the rare example of an interesting story in the course.

Colgan: Here’s hoping for a few more wins! If you’re a golf fan invested in the growth of golf, the only thing better than a planet-destroying win is 10 of them.

Collin Morikawa birdied the 72nd hole win the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am by one and earned his first win in 2 1/2 years. What did you think of his week? And if there is one key player destined to return in 2026, is he your pick?

Berhow: This week came out of nowhere for Collin. He missed the cut in Hawaii and tied for 54th in Phoenix last week, though his 2025 results don’t suggest he missed or anything (18 of 21 cuts and 13 top 25s). It will always be dedicated to that putter, and Pebble’s Poa annua greens are unpredictable. He’s as good as I can think of for a comeback candidate.

Meaning: Morikawa played a lot of good golf last year, but looked wild and restless and just a hair’s breadth away from Russell Henley’s eagle at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He was back to his old self for much of this week. But that included some odd moments with his chipping, a relative weakness in his game. He bogeyed one on 14, and I thought it was interesting that he chose to putt from a little bit of a rough lie today on 18, in a spot where some guys probably would have cut. I wonder about his faith in the greens. But a win is a win. And while we haven’t heard much from Patrick Cantlay or Max Homa lately, I’m with Berhow. Morikawa seems more likely to make a comeback in 2026.

Colgan: I was very impressed with Collin’s week. Not only because he played magnificent golf when the weekend counted, but because he did so despite a real weakness with his putter. It’s not a winning formula in the long run to play great but hell and win anyway, but Scottie Scheffler has shown us just how far a little confidence can go with the flat bat.

Who’s more upset to be leaving Pebble Beach: Scottie Scheffler, who shot in the 70s for the second week in a row Thursday but played near-perfect golf after showing up again? Or Akshay Bhatia, who led by five after 45 holes but tied for 6th?

Berhow: Akshay! But a good learning experience for a really good, young player. Something tells me Scottie will be fine.

Meaning: Bhatia with a long shot. I don’t imagine Scheffler will think this week.

Colgan: I thought Scottie was happier he looked all week after missing Sunday afternoon. His game is still hot, he just wasn’t scoring. Akshay had lightning in a bottle and lost it.

The tour goes from a signature event at Pebble Beach to another at the Riviera in Los Angeles. From a course standpoint, is this the best back-to-back combination on the tournament schedule? If not, what is it?

Berhow: Hmmm…. A good question. I think it is, and I’ll give it the edge over the Augusta National-to-Harbor Town stretch. The Renaissance Club (Scottish Open) at Royal Birkdale (The Open) will also be a good one.

Meaning: Augusta at Harbor Town is a big one-two. But Pebble at Riviera is the only stretch on the calendar with two consecutive World 100s. I’ll give it the edge.

Colgan: yes! Pebble is a mischievous appetizer, and Riv is a main course. Although, when they played together, I would certainly hear a Memorial-US Open argument. Two straight leg kicks.