Anthony Kim is headed back to LIV Golf after locking up the final exempt spot for the 2026 season with a third-place finish at the LIV Golf Promotions event Sunday in Florida.
Kim navigated a tense final round at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Fla., leaning on experience rather than his sharpest form to get the job done. The 40-year-old entered the week knowing his future in the league depended on a strong performance, and he delivered just enough when it mattered most.
After posting a steady 66 on Saturday, Kim stumbled early Sunday and stood one over par through six holes. He recovered with birdies on Nos. 7 and 9 but gave one back at the 10th to remain even for the day. Birdies at the 11th and 16th holes provided crucial breathing room, and despite a closing bogey, Kim signed for a 1-under 69—finishing two shots clear of those tied for fourth.
“It feels great,” Kim said. “I’m not here to prove everybody wrong. I’m here to prove myself right. I’ve worked so hard. I’m so grateful that I’m back on this stage.”
Canada’s Richard T. Lee and Sweden’s Bjorn Hellgren claimed the top two spots in the field and will join Kim in the LIV Golf season opener on Feb. 4 in Saudi Arabia. Lee dominated the week, shooting rounds of 64-66-64-65 to win medalist honors by five shots. Hellgren closed with a final-round 64 to secure second place.
Lee, 35, becomes the first Canadian to compete in LIV Golf. A veteran of the Asian Tour with six career wins, he previously competed in the 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont as a 16-year-old.
“It’s been a good three years I’ve been trying to come on LIV Golf through the International Series,” Lee said. “I worked pretty hard to get to this position and I’m looking forward to this year.”
Several others earned exempt status into the Asian Tour’s International Series, including Lucas Bjerregaard, Jeunghun Wang, Sarit Suwannarut, Kieran Vincent, Oliver Bekker, Jazz Janewatananond, Takanori Konishi, Matt Jones, Cory Crawfird and Chris Wood.
Kim finished 56th in LIV Golf’s individual standings in 2024 and 55th in 2025, with his best league result a tie for 25th in Dallas last June. He showed signs of progress late last season, tying for fifth at the PIF Saudi International in November.
“This is just the first step,” Kim said. “But I’m glad I earned my spot. I’ll be back soon, and I’ll be winning golf tournaments.”
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