On February 15, Anthony Kim won the LIV Golf Adelaide event, securing his first professional title in nearly 16 years.

The victory marked a turning point in a career that had been paused for over a decade.

Anthony Kim’s recent performances prompted Brandel Chamblee, a golf analyst and long-time critic of LIV Golf since its launch, to recount a story from his childhood during an appearance on Dan on Golf yesterday.

Chamblee shared an anecdote from years ago. He explained that Kim once worked with the same coach he did, Adam Schriber. One day at PGA West, Schriber asked him to watch Kim, whom he was training. Kim was around 11 or 12 at the time.

He stood behind him on the range as the boy hit several tee shots. After a few swings, Kim turned and asked, “Who’s going to beat me?”

The former PGA winner noted that at that stage of his own career, he was already competing on the main tour and ranked around the top 50 or 60 in the world. Even then, he said, he could not imagine expressing that level of belief at such a young age.

Chamblee also addressed the personal challenges Anthony Kim faced during his time away from the game, placing them at the center of his comeback narrative.

Brandel Chamblee on the comeback of Anthony Kim and the Story Beyond LIV

During the podcast, Chamblee expanded on why Anthony Kim’s return resonated beyond the league itself.

“People connect with an underdog story, and you’d struggle to find one bigger than his. He’s faced all of it, and yet when he stepped back out there, he played without fear."

He entered professional golf in 2006 and won three PGA Tour titles before turning 25. In 2008, he played a role in the United States’ Ryder Cup win. 

By 2012, however, his path shifted. A ruptured Achilles tendon halted his season, and further procedures on his shoulder, hand, and spine followed.

What began as injury management turned into a full absence from competition.

During those 12 years away, Kim dealt with mental health challenges. Public discussion about a reported insurance policy added to the uncertainty surrounding whether he would ever return. 

After years marked by absence and questions about his future, Kim chose to step back into competition. In March 2024, he ended the hiatus by joining LIV Golf as a wildcard entry. The early results were modest. 

He finished near the bottom of the leaderboards while adjusting to changes in equipment, training, and competitive rhythm. After placing 55th in the 2025 standings, he was relegated from the league.

Kim then entered the promotions event in January 2026 and secured his spot by finishing third. 

That set the stage for February 15, 2026, at LIV Golf Adelaide. In the final round, Kim shot 9-under 63 to close at 23-under par, finishing three strokes ahead of Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau.

Read more at Daily Club Golf!

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Kalp Thaker