Imagine standing on the 18th tee with the weight of your entire golf career resting on a single putt. That’s exactly where Anthony Kim found himself at Black Diamond Ranch, under the scorching Florida sun, during the LIV Golf Promotions event. But here’s where it gets intense: after a rollercoaster second round, Kim needed to birdie one of the toughest finishing holes in golf—designed by none other than Tom Fazio himself—to keep his dream of joining the 2026 LIV Golf roster alive. And this is the part most people miss: it wasn’t just about the shot; it was about the mental fortitude to deliver under pressure.
Kim’s journey to this moment had been anything but smooth. After a bogey on the brutal 240-yard par-3 17th hole, he faced a do-or-die situation on the 18th. With the crowd holding its breath, he striped his tee shot down the middle and followed it up with a clutch iron shot, leaving himself an 8-foot putt. In a display of sheer skill and nerves of steel, he sank it, securing his spot in the weekend’s 36-hole shootout. Controversial question: Is it luck, skill, or something else entirely that makes these clutch moments possible?
‘Today was a rough day,’ Kim admitted afterward. ‘I didn’t get off to a great start, but after the bogey on 17, I knew I had to make birdie on 18. I gave myself a chance, and thankfully, it fell.’ His reaction? A smirk and a wave to the crowd, as if he’d just aced a practice round. But don’t let the cool exterior fool you—Kim’s journey back to professional golf has been a rollercoaster in itself, mirroring the ups and downs of his round: four birdies, three bogeys, and a whole lot of grit.
‘My life has been a pretty big roller coaster, so this is pretty smooth for me,’ Kim quipped. And he’s not wrong. Just six months ago, he admits, this round might have ended in a 76 or 75. But now, at 40—feeling more like 60, as he jokes—Kim has embraced a smarter, more strategic approach to the game. ‘I don’t overpower courses anymore,’ he said. ‘I have to use my brain and outsmart the course.’ Bold claim: Could this mental shift be the secret to his resurgence?
Kim’s birdie on the 18th wasn’t just a clutch finish; it was a statement. It reminded everyone that he still has the talent, determination, and moxie to compete at the highest level. With three highly coveted Wild Card spots up for grabs, Kim is a serious contender. ‘Anything can happen in 36 holes,’ he said confidently. ‘I know I can make a lot of birdies, and I think I have as good a chance as anybody.’
As the weekend approaches, one thing is clear: Anthony Kim is far from done. His comeback story is far from over. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that underestimating him would be a mistake. Thought-provoking question for you: Do you think Kim’s mental game is his biggest asset, or is there something else driving his resurgence? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
