Anthony Kim's Return to Golf Takes Another Big Step With ESPYS Nomination
LIV GOLF ADELAIDE, Anthony Kim of 4Aces GC with daughter Bella after victory during Round 4 of the LIV Golf Adelaide at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, Sunday, February 15, 2026. NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY ADELAIDE SA AUSTRALIA PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxAUSxNZLxPNGxFIJxVANxSOLxTGA Copyright: xMATTxTURNERx 20260215185034115260
LIV GOLF ADELAIDE, Anthony Kim of 4Aces GC with daughter Bella after victory during Round 4 of the LIV Golf Adelaide at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, Sunday, February 15, 2026. NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY ADELAIDE SA AUSTRALIA PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxAUSxNZLxPNGxFIJxVANxSOLxTGA Copyright: xMATTxTURNERx 20260215185034115260
Anthony Kim’s comeback just reached the national stage. ESPN announced that Kim has been nominated for Best Comeback Athlete at the 2026 ESPYS.
The ceremony airs live from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York on Wednesday, July 15, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Fan voting is open through July 15.
His fellow nominees are Angel City FC defender Savy King, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, and Texas A&M volleyball standout Kyndal Stowers.
The golf account Flushing It reposted the Sports Center's nomination tweet on X to remind everyone of the moment that took Kim to glory.
The nomination followed one of the most talked-about sporting moments of the year.
After stepping away from the sport in 2014, Kim has rebuilt his life and has now been sober for three years. His return to competition was not just about golf—it was about resilience, discipline, and proving that second chances can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
He fired a flawless 9-under 63 in the final round at LIV Golf Adelaide on February 15 to finish at 23-under and win by three shots.
He overcame a five-shot deficit to Rahm and DeChambeau, who could not keep pace with his iron play and hot putter. Rahm shot a 1-under 71, and DeChambeau posted a 2-over 74 in the final round.
Kim addressed the victory afterwards, saying, “Nothing is holding me back. I just have to keep working. The 1 percent better every day thing is a mindset that I’m going to carry with me until the day I die.
"I don’t see why I can’t make it to the top again,” he added during the press conference after winning the LIV Golf Adelaide, as per PGA.com.
The ESPYS nomination extends a story that began on a golf course in Australia. It has since reached far beyond it.
Jon Rahm’s Words About Anthony Kim Captured at that time
LIV GOLF ADELAIDE, Anthony Kim of 4Aces GC celebrates victory during Round 4 of the LIV Golf Adelaide at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, Sunday, February 15, 2026. NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY ADELAIDE SA AUSTRALIA PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxAUSxNZLxPNGxFIJxVANxSOLxTGA Copyright: xMATTxTURNERx 20260215174595983810
LIV GOLF ADELAIDE, Anthony Kim of 4Aces GC celebrates victory during Round 4 of the LIV Golf Adelaide at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, Sunday, February 15, 2026. NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY ADELAIDE SA AUSTRALIA PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxAUSxNZLxPNGxFIJxVANxSOLxTGA Copyright: xMATTxTURNERx 20260215174595983810
Rahm, who finished solo second at 20-under, offered the most vivid description of what Kim produced in February 2026.
"That was one of the craziest, best rounds of golf. Maybe two and three he had to make pars, but after that it was absolutely flawless on a difficult golf course," Rahm said.
Rahm also spoke about the human side of the moment. "In a weird way, as a competitor, I probably shouldn't say this, but that was a joy to watch," he said, according to LIV Golf.
"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."
DeChambeau, who was in the final group, shook Kim's hand after the round and told him, "Great job, man. What a story... Proud of you," per LIV Golf.
LIV Golf Adelaide 2026 set a new attendance record for a professional golf event in Australia. More than 115,000 fans came to watch over four days. Kim won the tournament 12 and a half years after his last professional event.
The ESPYS nomination is the newest sign that his approach has worked well for him.
Do you think Anthony Kim deserves to win the Best Comeback Athlete award at the 2026 ESPYS? Let us know in the comments.
Written by
Sneha Abraham
Edited by
Koushik Biswas