6x Major Champion Phil Mickelson Lauds Anthony Kim’s “Inspirational” Comeback to LIV Golf

Anthony Kim secured his promotion back to LIV Golf in 2026 after getting relegated at the end of last season.

6x Major Champion Phil Mickelson Lauds Anthony Kim’s “Inspirational” Comeback to LIV Golf

Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim (Image via Imago)

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Anthony Kim will be returning to LIV Golf for this third season. After getting relegated at the end of the 2025 season, he fought in the promotion series and earned his way back. 6-time major champion Phil Mickelson would later laud his “inspirational” comeback.

Kim stunned the golfing world when he returned to golf after a 12-year absence in 2024. The 3-time PGA Tour winner would join LIV Golf and compete as a wild card player.

In his inaugural season, Kim did finish in the drop zone but did not suffer relegation. Last year, he continued to struggle with form as he tried to shake off the rust.

The American international finished 55th in the standings last season. His best performance came at the LIV Golf Dallas event, where he finished T25. He was one of the big names who got relegated at the end of the campaign.

This season, LIV Golf will have 57 players, with 5 being wild card players. After a score of 66 on Saturday, Kim fired a score of 69 on Sunday. With a score of 5-under par, the golfer earned a third-place finish, which saw him qualify for the 2026 season alongside Bjorn Hellegren and Richard T. Lee, who finished second and first respectively.

Following his promotion back to the tour, Phil Mickelson applauded him. In a post on X, the veteran golfer hailed the comeback story of Kim and sent his congratulations to him.

AK gets his life back and now his golf game is back. He’s on LIV Golf for 2026. Congratulations! Truly Inspirational

Phil Mickelson on Anthony Kim on X

The top three finishers in this promotion event now join Scott Vincent and Yosuke Asaji (International Series Qualifiers) as the 5 wild card player for the 2026 season.

Tiger Woods’ ex-coach also praises Anthony Kim on his promotion to LIV Golf

After struggling to get back to his best form last year, Anthony Kim suffered relegation from LIV Golf. However, the golfer fought back and is now on his way back to the Saudi-backed tour. Following his win, Tiger Woods‘ former coach also praised him.

Anthony Kim
Anthony Kim (Image via Imago)

During his early days, Kim was once called as the next Tiger Woods. However, following injuries, he would vanish from the scene and take an early retirement. It was after 12 years in 2024 that Kim returned to competitive golf.

Since then, he has been trying to shake off the rust he has collected from not playing and trying to get back to the top. Following his relegation, the 2008 Ryder Cup winner fought hard and earned his way back to LIV Golf.

After his promotion, Woods’ ex-coach, Hank Haney, praised him. In a post on X, the 70-year-old expressed that he was proud of the golfer.

Congratulations @AnthonyKim_Golf you worked your ass off and totally earned your spot, proud of you!

Hank Haney said regarding Anthony Kim on X

Speaking of the 2026 season, the first event, LIV Golf Riyadh, will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from February 4 to 7. This will be the first LIV Golf event to feature 72-holes as the league adapts the traditional 4 rounds format from this year.

Anthony Kim wants to play in major championships

In the 2026 season, Anthony Kim will try to have a better performance in LIV Golf than he did in the previous two years. The golfer also wants to play in the major championships and play against some of the best players in the world.

Anthony Kim
Anthony Kim (Image via ESPN)

Speaking ahead of the LIV Golf Promotions in Florida, the 40-year-old expressed his ambitions of playing at the highest level in the future.

The goal is to get back to playing at the highest level. I think when you play against Major championship winners week after week you’re forced to get better and it prepares you more for the Majors. I’ve played in a few majors myself, so I’m looking forward to getting back out there.

Anthony Kim said

Kim has played in 15 majors in his career and made the cut 11 times. His best performance in a major is a third-place finish, which came at the 2010 Masters. He finished the tournament 12-under par, 4 shots behind eventual winner Phil Mickelson.

At the moment, he does not have any exemptions for the 4 major championships. He will have to work hard and try to find his way through the pathways offered or earn an official invitation from the tournament sponsors to play in the majors.

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