LIV Golf 2026 New Player Analysis: Anthony Kim

Jan 16, 2026 - 8:00 PMWritten by: Matt Vincenzi

LIV Golf welcomes back Anthony Kim for the 2026 season after he secured one of the three wild-card spots via a dramatic third-place finish at LIV Golf Promotions, overcoming relegation from 2025. 

PLAYER BIO

Age: 40

Nationality: American

OWGR: 856th

Data Golf Ranking: Unranked

Career Wins: 3 (PGA Tour: 2008 Wachovia Championship, 2008 AT&T National, 2010 Shell Houston Open).

Career Highlights: Kim entered the professional golf scene as a brash, talented young star, becoming one of only five players in 30 years to win three PGA Tour events before age 25 (joining Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, and Adam Scott). He reached No. 6 in the World Golf Ranking - a career high - in 2008 after a standout year with two wins. Kim played a key role in the 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup victory, defeating García 5&4 in singles. Notable moments include setting the Masters record with 11 birdies in a round (2009 second round) and a final-round 65 for T3 at the 2010 Masters.

Best Major Finish: T3 at the 2010 Masters (final-round 65), T5 at the 2011 Open Championship.

2025 Results: Relegated from LIV after finishing 55th in the Individual Standings but showed incredible progress beginning in the fall of 2025. He finished T5 at PIF Saudi International, which was he best finish since his return to professional golf. He then finished 3rd at LIV Golf Promotions, earning a spot on LIV Golf for 2026. 

Major Eligibility in 2026: As of January 2026, Kim is not exempt into any major championships.

2025 LIV GOLF RANKS

Scoring Average: 73.10 (54th)
Driving Distance: 293.0 (51st)
Driving Accuracy: 48.40% (53rd)
Greens in Regulation: 58% (55th)
Birdie Average (per tournament): 8.92 (49th)
Scrambling: 51.50% (53rd)
Strokes Gained: Approach: -0.95 (53rd)
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee: -1.05 (54th)
Strokes Gained: Around the Green: +0.10 (26th)
Strokes Gained: Putting: -0.52 (51st) 

STATISTICAL PROFILE

When on his game, Kim is a dynamic and aggressive player with elite scoring ability. He is an accurate driver of the golf ball and has a great short game, including both around the green play and putting. The 40-year-old Kim has spent almost two years working through a long layoff, but his golf game is beginning to resemble the game of his younger self. 

Statistical profile: Patrick Reed 

INTERESTING FACTS

  • He attended the University of Oklahoma for three years, where he set the school record for the lowest career scoring average relative to par (71.73).  

  • He helped the U.S. win the 2005 Walker Cup as an amateur. 

  • Turning pro in 2006, he finished T2 in his PGA Tour professional debut (Valero Texas Open via sponsor exemption). As a rookie in 2007, he posted four top 10s and cracked the top 100 in the world rankings by May. 

  • He won his first PGA Tour title at the 2008 Wachovia Championship, winning by five shots. Later that year, he won the AT&T National, becoming the first American since Tiger Woods in 2000 to win twice before turning 25. His third victory came at the 2010 Shell Houston Open in a playoff. 

  • At the 2008 Ryder Cup, the then-23-year-old (the youngest on either team) dominated Sergio García 5&4 in Sunday singles in one of the most memorable moments from the U.S. victory at Valhalla. 

  • He also went 3-1 in the 2009 Presidents Cup. 

  • At the 2009 Masters, Kim set a tournament record with 11 birdies in the second round (surpassing Nick Price's 10 in 1986). He went on to finish T20.  

  • After undergoing surgery on his ruptured Achilles tendon surgery 2012, Kim underwent multiple additional surgeries (hand, shoulder, spinal fusion) and battled addiction and personal demons. He stepped away completely for 12 years. He credits his wife Emily and daughter Bella for his turnaround, announcing two years of sobriety in 2025.

BOTTOM LINE

Anthony Kim's return to LIV Golf in 2026 adds a must-see comeback story and proven star power to the league. The progress he’s shown since the end of the 2025 LIV Golf season gives reason for optimism that he can be much more competitive on LIV Golf in 2026 and even contend for victories.

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