Anthony Kim has proven all the doubters wrong about his competitive spirit after his 16-year break from the game. He beat out Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, both of whom are major champions, for a $ 4 million payday. 

"I know that there are some good players for sure, and there are some pedigree, major caliber pedigree," Kim said before his win. "But I would be lying if I said that I did not expect to be contending."

Kim was fighting for more than just a first-place finish. He has a daughter, and that gives him even more motivation because she will be able to see his success.

"I was able to produce some good golf today. I knew it was coming," Kim said. "Nobody else has to believe in me but me, and for anybody that's struggling, you can get through anything."

Chasing Down the Giants in Adelaide

Entering the final round of the LIV Golf event in Adelaide, Kim trailed the leaders, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, by five strokes. However, Kim completed the tournament with a mind-boggling, bogey-free, 9-under-par score of 63, and an overall total of 23-under par.

In contrast, two-time major champion Rahm lacked his signature spark on Sunday. The Spaniard struggled to find a rhythm, turning in a disappointing 1-over-par 71. Rahm’s flat performance featured just two birdies against one bogey, a quiet finish that left him well off the lead.

DeChambeau's day was worse, having made 4 bogeys in 6 holes on the front 9. He was only able to muster a 2-over-par 74 and ended the tournament in a tie for 3rd place with a total score of 17-under.

Kim's run of 4 consecutive birdies on holes 12 through 15 was the point at which he took the lead. He made all of the crucial 11 to 17-foot putts necessary to carry out his plan of taking out the lead of his great rivals, one by one.

By the time Kim hit the 18th green, he had shot 8 strokes better than Rahm in just the final round. Kim's final birdie on 17 clinched the lead and made the walk down 18 a celebratory one.

Tiger Woods Reacts to Anthony Kim's Win

Kim's victory is a massive accomplishment in golf that has inspired legends such as Tiger Woods. Woods praised Kim's golf comeback story, which brought out Tiger's own past struggles. His own comeback is historic and is synonymous with Kim's story.

During a press conference for the Genesis Invitational, Woods said, "This kid hit it so good. He had so much natural talent. He could hit any shot he wanted."

Woods understood it was not easy for Kim, but that along the way, Kim had to overcome a lot of adversity. Woods said, "It is a story in which you just have to wrap your heart around it because of the struggles."

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Written by

Abhishek Sharma

Edited by

Kalp Thaker