Anthony Kim's wife, Emily Kim, helped bring the golf star's life back on track, ultimately leading to his win at the 2026 LIV Golf Adelaide.
American professional golfer, Anthony Kim's life is marked by his decorated career, his low phase of addiction and his comeback to reach the peak of success. He is currently dominating the headlines after winning the LIV Golf Adelaide on February 15, 2026. With this victory, he ended his almost 16-year medal drought, thrilling his fans with his first victory in 5,795 days. Anthony's last professional win was at the 2010 Shell Houston Open. His latest title win has brought the focus back to his past struggles with addiction and his wife, Emily Kim's contribution to his rehab and return to professional golf.
Anthony Kim took home the trophy at LIV Golf Adelaide by defeating two-time U.S. Open winner, Bryson DeChambeau and fellow LIV Golf star, Jon Rahm, during the final round. Ahead of his thrilling comeback, he opened up about his 12-year-long hiatus due to addiction and reflected on his personal growth in a pre-match interview. Anthony admitted that he was not always the person or partner he should have been in his youth. He described himself as a "completely different person" today, citing his faith, family, and three years of sobriety as the foundations of his new life. He stated:
"I wasn't the best person, the best partner, the best whatever you want to call it, the best son I could be when I was younger. But who I am today is a completely different person. With God, my family, my sobriety being the key things to my life, I can go as far as I want."
Anthony shared his wish to "inspire people" with his comeback and his win at LIV Golf Adelaide 2026. During the same pre-match interview, he mentioned telling his wife, Emily Kim, that he wanted to win more tournaments, as it would give him a platform to talk about his ups and downs and help his voice reach more people. Anthony Kim expressed his scepticism that "mainstream media" would spread his message; he would be glad even if it reached some people. He stated:
"I told my wife this, 'The only way I get to reach the amount of people I want to reach is by winning. I can talk about my struggles all I want, but if I don't have the platform, then I won't reach as many people.' When I was in rehab, that was my goal."
Anthony Kim credited his wife, Emily Kim, and their four-year-old kid as the primary reasons he was able to "turn his life around" by achieving sobriety and regaining his lost spirit for golf. Kim, who recently celebrated three years of addiction-free life in February 2026, has openly described his previous life as a "dark hole" marked by addiction to drugs and alcohol. Initially hesitant to return to professional play, Kim was convinced by Emily to join LIV Golf in 2024. She emphasised that it was a good opportunity to provide for their family and regain his spirit in playing golf. In June 2025, while sharing his wife's birthday reel for him, Anthony wrote:
"Hated birthdays but over 2yrs sober w my love [daughter] Bella & Emily & I am finally clear enough 2 have purpose. Thank u god, sobriety & every1 that supports us. SOBER is DOPE."
Emily Kim reignited Anthony Kim's interest in golf by asking him to teach her to play. Instead of focusing on his professional career, she expressed a personal desire to learn, leading the couple to play casual rounds together two to four times a week. Anthony noted that he first began to believe he could compete again while hitting balls with Emily's clubs. She further convinced him by emphasising that his comeback would set a positive example for their little angel, Bella Kim. The strategy proved successful, as Anthony Kim returned to professional golf in 2024 after 12 years.
What are your thoughts on Emily Kim's contribution to bringing Anthony Kim's life back on track? Let us know.
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