Tiger Woods touched by story 'you have to wrap your heart around' after Anthony Kim's LIV Golf comeback win in Adelaide
Published 19/02/2026 at 11:32 GMT
Anthony Kim won the individual title at LIV Golf Adelaide, his first professional title in almost 16 years. Kim spent almost 13 years away from golf after bursting onto the scene, as he dealt with injuries and battles with addiction. But he signed with LIV Golf in 2024 and claimed his first win in Australia. Tiger Woods said it is a story "you just have to wrap your heart around."
'Don't ******* quit!' - Kim's message after inspirational comeback win at LIV Golf Adelaide
Video credit: TNT Sports
Anthony Kim completed one of the most remarkable comebacks golf has ever seen when he won the individual title at LIV Golf Adelaide on Sunday.
Kim had spent almost 13 years away from golf after bursting onto the scene, as he dealt with injuries and battles with addiction.
In 2024, he joined LIV Golf and two years later in Australia, the 40-year-old finally rejoined the winners' circle by outlasting Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau to lift the trophy.
And for Tiger Woods, who spent time on the PGA Tour with Kim, Kim’s inspiring victory in Adelaide resonated deeply.
"This kid hit it so good," Woods told reporters ahead of the 2026 Genesis Invitational.
"He was on an unbelievable run when he won (his first PGA Tour title) at Charlotte, and we played against each other at Congressional.
"He played unbelievable at the 2008 Ryder Cup. He had so much natural talent. He could hit any shot he wanted.
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Highlights: Kim beats out Rahm to complete incredible comeback story in Adelaide
Video credit: TNT Sports
"Then to see him struggle in life and didn't really want to play golf, didn't really want to be part of golf, and for him to come all the way back and for him to win and to be as devoted as he is to his family, it's a story in which you just have to wrap your heart around it because of the struggles.
"We can all relate to struggles. We all struggle in life. The longer it goes, the more tough times you've had.
"But for him to fight through it and for Anthony to get to where he's gotten to, from the low that he was in, is something that, as I said, you have to just wrap your heart around it."
When he first broke into professional golf, Kim was seen as one of the next rising stars.
Kim won three titles on the PGA Tour before stepping away from golf. He also finished third at the Masters in 2010 and tied-fifth at the Open in 2011, after being part of the USA team which won the Ryder Cup in 2008.
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'I want to inspire people' - Kim hopes to use 'therapeutic' LIV Golf win to spark hope
Video credit: SNTV
But that was derailed as he coped with issues away from the course, including mental health struggles as well as alcohol and drug addiction.
He credits the birth of his daughter and the support of his wife with getting his life back on track.
Victory in Adelaide was his first title in professional golf in 16 years, and he celebrated on the green with his wife and daughter afterwards.
- 'Don't f****** quit' - How rehab sharpened Kim's focus as he aims to 'inspire'
- 'Something you don't see every day!' - LIV Golf commentators amused before putt as hole already full
Even for Rahm, who was competing with Kim for the individual title, it was an emotional scene as Kim celebrated his comeback victory.
"In a weird way, as a competitor, I probably shouldn’t say this, but that was a joy to watch," Rahm said.
"To see that image on 18 of him hugging his wife and daughter, any man with a soul is going to have a soft spot for that. I was almost tearing up."
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Anthony Kim with his family after winning at LIV Golf Adelaide.
Image credit: Getty Images
How to watch the LIV Golf 2026 season
TNT Sports and its streaming platform discovery+ will broadcast all 14 global events from the 2026 LIV Golf season.
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Here is the full TNT Sports schedule and TV guide.
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