What Happened to Anthony Ha-Jin Kim?

Anthony Ha-Jin Kim, born June 19, 1985, quickly established himself as one of golf's most exciting young talents after turning professional in 2006. He secured three PGA Tour victories between 2008 and 2010, reaching a career-high world ranking of sixth in September 2008. His aggressive style and charismatic personality made him a fan favorite, and he was a key player in the 2008 Ryder Cup and 2009 Presidents Cup.

However, Kim's promising career was derailed by a series of severe injuries. Following an Achilles tendon injury in 2012, which required surgery, he withdrew from professional golf and entered a prolonged hiatus that lasted over a decade. During this period, Kim revealed he underwent multiple surgeries, including on his shoulder, hand, and a spinal fusion. Compounding his physical ailments were personal struggles with addiction and what he described as "very dark demons," as well as being taken advantage of by "scam artists." A significant factor in his absence was a reported disability insurance policy, estimated to be worth between $10 million and $20 million, which would be voided if he returned to competitive play.

After nearly 12 years away, Anthony Kim made his highly anticipated return to professional golf in February 2024, joining the LIV Golf League as a wildcard player. His initial performances reflected the rust from his long absence, often finishing at the bottom of the leaderboard. He finished 56th out of 57 players in the 2024 LIV Golf League seasonal rankings and 55th in 2025, leading to his relegation from the league. Despite these setbacks, Kim maintained his belief in himself and committed to a mantra of getting "1% better every day."

The turning point came in late 2025 and early 2026. In November 2025, Kim showed significant improvement, shooting a bogey-free 64 at the PIF Saudi International and finishing in a tie for fifth, his first top-10 finish in 14 years. This momentum carried into January 2026, where he finished third in the LIV Golf Promotions event, successfully earning a spot in the 2026 LIV Golf League season. His remarkable comeback culminated in February 2026 when he won LIV Golf Adelaide, his first professional victory in nearly 16 years, closing with a dominant 9-under 63 to win by three shots over Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. As of May 2026, Kim has joined Dustin Johnson's 4Aces GC as a full team member for the remainder of the 2026 LIV Golf season. He has also publicly shared his journey to sobriety, stating he has been sober for three years as of 2026, crediting his wife and daughter for inspiring his recovery.