'I'm here to prove myself right' - grateful Anthony Kim wins promotion back to LIV Golf after 12-year retirement

Anthony Kim secured one of three wildcard spots in the LIV Golf League Promotions event in Florida on Sunday, clinching his return to LIV Golf following his relegation last year. The 40-year-old made his comeback to the sport in 2024 after a 12-year retirement but his best finish across 23 tournaments during his first two LIV Golf seasons was a tie for 25th at LIV Golf Dallas last year.

Lee makes history by claiming LIV Golf place, Kim makes comeback

Video credit: SNTV

Anthony Kim secured his promotion back into LIV Golf at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida, on Sunday.

The 40-year-old placed third at the 2026 LIV Golf Promotions, earning him a wildcard spot for the upcoming season, which will be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Three-time PGA Tour winner Kim was one of 22 players vying for a spot and he played well through 36 holes to finish 5 under overall and earn his way back to the tour.

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Having retired for 12 years, initially walking away in 2012 due to an Achilles injury, he is beginning to show signs of playing like the Kim of old after making a competitive return in 2024.

He was a wild card for two years but was last year relegated and forced to regain his place in the league.

Kim made the cut on Friday at Black Diamond Ranch in Florida and he went went 66-69 on the weekend to secure third place at 5 under par.

"It feels great," Kim said. "I'm not here to prove everybody wrong, I'm here to prove myself right. I've had so much support behind me, the last two years since I've been back. I'm so grateful that I'm back on this stage."

His best finish across 23 tournaments during his first two LIV Golf seasons was a tie for 25th at LIV Golf Dallas last year.

The Californian has also been open about his rehabillitation from drugs and alcohol and last year he announced that he had been two years sober.

It marks an inspiring turnaround for the 40-year-old, who was once a top-10 player in the world but had been given grave warnings about his health by doctors.

He took third place comfortably and had room to spare when he bogeyed his last hole on Sunday, finishing two shots ahead of a four-way tie for fourth.

"I definitely didn't have it today," Kim said. "I didn't have it with my swing. Putted OK but didn't make a ton.

"I feel like my game is trending in the right direction, that my bad rounds can still hang in there and be around par.

"This is just the first step but I'm glad I earned my spot so everybody could quit talking s**t. I'll be back soon, and I'll be back winning golf tournaments soon."

'I didn't want to play' - Kim opens up on struggles after sealing LIV Golf place

Video credit: SNTV

Canada's Richard T. Lee and Sweden's Bjorn Hellgren finished first and second respectively to earn their promotions.

Lee is the first Canadian to become a member of LIV Golf, and he even suggested more Canadians join and form "a team."

"(The course layout) just really fits the fade shots that I have and the low fade shots just to keep it in the fairway," Lee said.

"The greens definitely helped me out a lot. I was very comfortable on the greens this week."

Current LIV Golf 2026 Schedule (as it stands)

February 4-7 – ROSHN Group LIV Golf Riyadh, Riyadh Golf Club, Saudi Arabia
February 12-15 – LIV Golf Adelaide, The Grange Golf Club, Australia
March 5-8 – HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong, Hong Kong Golf Club at Fanling, Hong Kong
March 12-15 – LIV Golf Singapore, Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore
March 19-22 – LIV Golf South Africa, Steyn City, South Africa
April 16-19 – LIV Golf Mexico City, Club de Golf Chapultepec, Mexico
May 7-10 – LIV Golf Virginia presented by Maaden, Trump National DC, USA
June 4-7 – LIV Golf Andalucia, Real Club Valderrama, Spain
June 25-28 – LIV Golf Louisiana, Bayou Oaks at City Park, USA
July 23-26 – LIV Golf UK by JCB, JCB Golf and Country Club, Great Britain
August 20-23 – LIV Golf Indianapolis, The Club at Chatham Hills, USA
August 27-30 – Aramco LIV Golf Michigan, The Cardinal at Saint John’s, US

TNT Sports and its streaming platform discovery+ will broadcast all 14 global events from the 2026 LIV Golf League.

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