He was using drugs between holes at Augusta National. Contemplating suicide for two decades. Couldn't walk into rehab without help. Today he just beat two of the best golfers alive. One of, if not the greatest sports comeback stories of all time:
Anthony Kim. Father. Husband. Three-time PGA Tour winner before age 25 - alongside only Tiger, Phil, Sergio, and Adam Scott.
Then his Achilles ruptured in 2012. He vanished, for twelve years.
He was battling drug and alcohol addiction daily. Using during majors. Making bathroom stops between holes just to get through the round. Contemplating ending his life for almost two decades while the world thought he was living the dream.
His body eventually shut down. He could barely walk into rehab. His wife Emily and daughter Bella pulled him back.
He got a second chance with LIV Golf in 2024. Finished dead last. Didn't earn a single point in two full seasons. Got relegated from the league in August.
Most people would've quit. He showed up every single day and worked to get 1% better after being cut from the league.
He earned his spot back through a qualifying tournament on pure merit.
Today, in the final round at LIV Adelaide, playing alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm - two of the biggest names in golf - he came back from a 5-shot starting deficit and has just shot nine under to win the golf tournamnet.
This man was ready to leave this earth. Now he just did the unthinkable. If that doesn't prove you can come back from anything, nothing will.
It's never too late.
@livgolf_league@AnthonyKim_Golf
#LIVGolfAdelaide
Anthony Kim’s impressive comeback today meant he got to fulfill a dream of having his daughter and wife run onto the green to celebrate with him.
He spoke about what it meant after the victory in Adelaide:
“Best moment of my life so far.
“Obviously when Bella was born, Emily and my life changed. But to be able to share this moment, even though Bella won't understand it, one day she will, and for her to be able to run on the green and see her dad isn't a loser was one of the most special moments of my life.”
AK’s story is well publicised. His battles with mental health and addiction led him into some deep, dark holes. But his return to glory is one of the greatest comebacks the sport has ever seen. So, what will he tell his daughter about his journey?
“I will tell her that before she came into this world that I didn't feel any purpose in my life. Whether you have a lot of money, whether you have a lot of success in your life, you still can feel lonely and feel like the world is against you, and that's in your own mind because I had a lot of people rooting for me. Obviously you saw out there how many people were rooting for me.
“But I just want her to know that no matter how bad your day is, if you keep fighting, you never lose.
“Hopefully she takes that with her for the rest of her life.”
And now that AK has won again, how is he planning to celebrate?
“I might actually watch the movie "Frozen." I don't know, man. I didn't plan this far. I planned to be contending to win golf tournaments, but I haven't gotten this far.
“But I'm going to enjoy my time here in Australia. We're going to be here for two more days and we're going to go see the kangaroos and the koalas, maybe some giraffes. So that's my fun.”
AK’s comeback after struggles with mental health and addiction is a truly incredible story that will resonate with a lot of people. Especially with how the birth of his daughter has helped give him purpose in life.
His play on the golf course today was inspiring, but his transformation off it is even more so.
Mad respect 🫡
@AnthonyKim_Golf@livgolf_league@4AcesGC_
Sad news from Utah: @utahmammoth and @utahjazz chief communications officer Caroline Klein has passed away at 40 after a valiant cancer fight. 'CK' was an integral part of getting #NHL hockey up and running in record time in Salt Lake City - and a cherished member of the SEG family.
Caroline's journey inspired many. On her passing, she wanted to share one last message, a lesson in grace for all:
https://t.co/VuXTHBVunS