ADELAIDE, Australia — Twelve years after leaving the sport, former alcoholic Anthony Kim has secured a poignant LIV victory in Adelaide, overcoming Spanish legend Jon Rahm.
Kim, who ceased competition in 2014 due to struggles with alcohol and drug addiction, emerged victorious by three strokes in a final-round face-off with Rahm at the Grange.
The 40-year-old Kim, now three years sober, delivered an impressive nine-under 63 on Sunday, concluding at 23 under and surpassing Rahm, who finished at 20 under.
Rahm’s anticipated battle for the title with Bryson DeChambeau faltered as the American star recorded four bogeys in his first six holes.
Both Rahm and DeChambeau were co-leaders at 19 under overnight, but it was Kim, starting the day five shots behind, who mounted the challenge.
Rahm managed only a one-under score as Kim’s remarkable round included a tournament-winning sequence of five birdies in six holes starting from the 12th.
The Californian, who holds the record for the most birdies in a round at the US Masters (11), is a three-time US PGA Tour champion and a Ryder Cup winner prior to his break, recorded a total of nine birdies to claim the $US4 million ($A5.7 million) winner’s prize.
After a decade away, Kim made his return to golf in 2024 as a reserve on the LIV circuit but lost his card at the conclusion of the previous season.
He regained his position as a reserve through an international playoff and, this week, joined a LIV team for the first time, the 4Aces led by Dustin Johnson.
Kim expressed gratitude for simply being alive, let alone competing in golf tournaments.
“It’s about getting 1% better every day, staying sober, enjoying time with my family – and whatever happens, happens, because all I can do is try my best,” he stated on Thursday.
Kim showcased his best performance on Sunday, surpassing Rahm as other contenders rose and fell.
DeChambeau concluded at 17 under, alongside Englishman Tyrell Hatton and American Peter Uihlein.
Australia’s Lucas Herbert finished at 16 under and was briefly one shot behind when Rahm was in the lead.
However, Herbert’s attempt to become the first Australian to win an individual LIV title in Adelaide faltered with three consecutive bogeys.
Fellow Australian Marc Leishman recorded an impressive seven-under 65 to finish at 15 under, tied with compatriot Cameron Smith, who shot a 70.
Gold Coast native Elvis Smylie, the 23-year-old who claimed the individual title in his LIV debut last weekend in Saudi Arabia, finished at nine under.
The combined efforts of this quartet contributed to their all-Australian Ripper GC winning the team event.
Captain Smith’s team, who also secured the team title last weekend in Riyadh, finished two shots ahead of Rahm’s Legion XIII.
