Anthony Kim’s joint fifth place in the PIF Saudi International at the end of last year, in the final event of the season on the Asian Tour, has clearly proven to be a statement of intent.

At the weekend the 40-year-old completed a remarkable return to golf by claiming LIV Golf Adelaide at The Grange, in front thousands of fans – so typical of the hugely popular event.

It is his first tournament victory since winning the Houston Open on the PGA Tour in 2010 and vindicates his decision to try and re-launch his career following battles with drug and alcohol addiction.

He began the final round five shots behind overnight leaders Jon Rahm from Spain and fellow-American Bryson DeChambeau.

Anthony Kim holds his daughter Bella and celebrates winning LIV Golf Adelaide at The Grange Golf Club. Picture by Mark Brake/Getty Images.

Kim stormed through on the final day making nine birdies in a round of 63 to finish on 23 under.

Rahm ended three shots back in second, while DeChambeau tied for third.

“It’s been overwhelming,” said Kim. “But I’m never not going to fight for my family.

“God gave me a talent. I was able to produce some good golf today, I knew it was coming.

“Nobody else has to believe in me, but me. And for anybody that’s struggling, you can get through anything.”

He initially joined LIV Golf as a wildcard in 2024 and in Adelaide became part of American Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces team following compatriot Patrick Reed’s departure from the league.

4Aces – also consisting of the Belgium duo of Thomas Detry and Thomas Pieters – finished third, while Ripper GC was first in the team competition.

“I always believed that this day would come,” said Kim. “With the support of my wife, my daughter and my mum, I knew anything was possible but for it to actually happen is incredible.”

Kim heads down the 18th and is overrun by the crowd in Adelaide. Picture by Mark Brake/Getty Images.

In that performance in Saudi last year on the Asian Tour he came close to winning, in a result that caught the eye globally.

It came from nowhere as he’d not finished better than equal 37^th before that in nine Asian Tour starts, following his comeback, and had also missed the cut in four of those events.

It’s proven to be an invaluable period of learning as he plotted his way back to the highest level.