Anthony Kim

Anthony Kim Net Worth

$14 Million
Last Updated: February 15, 2026
Category:
Richest AthletesGolfers
Net Worth:
$14 Million
Birthdate:
Jun 19, 1985 (40 years old)
Birthplace:
Los Angeles
Gender:
Male
Height:
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Profession:
Golfer
Nationality:
United States of America
  1. What Is Anthony Kim's Net Worth?
  2. Insurance Policy
  3. Career Earnings
  4. Early Life And Education
  5. PGA Tour
  6. LIV Golf
  7. US National Team
  8. Shaq Vs.

What is Anthony Kim's Net Worth?

Anthony Kim is a professional golfer who has a net worth of $14 million.

Anthony Kim was once the flashiest rising star in golf, a player whose swagger and talent made him a legitimate heir apparent to the Tiger Woods era. After turning pro in 2006, he quickly rose to world No. 6, capturing three PGA Tour titles before the age of 25 and famously dismantling Sergio Garcia at the 2008 Ryder Cup. Known for his "AK" diamond belt buckle and aggressive playstyle, he seemed destined for major championship glory. However, after the 2010 Houston Open, his career was derailed by a grueling series of injuries, including a torn Achilles and spinal fusion surgery. By 2012, Kim vanished from the professional circuit entirely, entering a twelve-year hiatus that became the sport's greatest mystery, fueled by rumors of a massive insurance policy that prevented his return.

During those "wilderness years," Kim's life took a darker turn as he battled drug and alcohol addiction and retreated from the public eye. He later admitted that he had nearly lost his love for the game and was surrounded by "snakes" who took advantage of his success. It wasn't until 2024 that he finally emerged from his recluse-like existence to join LIV Golf as a wildcard entry. His initial return was shaky; he struggled with his form and was eventually relegated from the league at the end of 2025.

The narrative of Kim's career reached its most improbable milestone with his triumphant return to the winner's circle at LIV Golf Adelaide. Entering the final round trailing major champions like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, Kim turned back the clock with a flawless 9-under 63. His three-shot victory, punctuated by a clinical string of four consecutive birdies on the back nine, ended a title drought that had lasted nearly 16 years. This performance wasn't just a win on the scoreboard; it was the definitive validation of a comeback that many critics believed was a physical impossibility.

Insurance Policy

For over a decade, the narrative surrounding Anthony Kim was inextricably linked to a high-stakes insurance policy. After undergoing surgery for a career-threatening Achilles injury in 2012, reports indicated Kim became eligible for a disability payout estimated between $10 million and $20 million. The policy famously created a "catch-22": the terms stipulated that the payout was contingent upon his retirement from professional golf. Making even a single competitive swing on the PGA Tour would have effectively voided the coverage, leading many to believe Kim was "worth more" as a retired athlete than as an active competitor.

This financial safety net fueled his long absence from the public eye, during which he rarely played golf even recreationally. However, the mystery was finally resolved in early 2024 when Kim officially ended his 12-year hiatus by joining LIV Golf. His return was reportedly facilitated by a signing bonus—estimated between $5 million and $10 million—specifically structured to offset the loss of his insurance disability payments.

Kim's return initially appeared to be a struggle as he faced relegation in late 2025. However, he successfully regained his status through the LIV Promotions event and reached a career milestone in February 2026, winning LIV Golf Adelaide. By securing the $4 million individual winner's check, Kim definitively moved past the era of insurance-based retirement, replacing the speculation of his "wilderness years" with the reality of a lucrative and successful professional resurgence.

Career Earnings

As of this writing, Anthony Kim's total career earnings, not including any insurance payout, are approximately $19.1 million. This figure accounts for his historical success on the PGA Tour combined with his recent competitive resurgence in LIV Golf.

PGA Tour Career (2006–2012)

During his initial rise as one of golf's premier stars, Kim earned a total of $12,206,409 in official prize money. This era was defined by three victories and consistent top-tier finishes, including a career-high season in 2008, where he earned over $4.6 million.

LIV Golf Era (2024–Present)

Since returning to professional competition in 2024, Kim's earnings have seen a sharp upward trajectory as he moved from a struggling wildcard to a tournament champion:

  • 2024 Season: Approximately $928,417 across 11 events.
  • 2025 Season: Roughly $1,205,166, despite facing late-season relegation.
  • 2026 Season (To Date): Following a T22 finish in Riyadh and his monumental win at LIV Golf Adelaide, Kim has earned $4,765,333 this year alone.

Getty

Early Life and Education

Anthony Kim was born on June 19, 1985, in Los Angeles, California. He is Korean-American. As a teenager, he went to La Quinta High School. Kim went on to attend the University of Oklahoma for three years.

PGA Tour

Kim turned professional in 2006 and came in tied for second place in his debut at the Valero Texas Open. Subsequently, he earned his PGA Tour card. Kim had an auspicious start on the Tour, breaking into the top 100 of the Official World Golf Rankings with four top-ten finishes during his rookie season in 2007. He had his breakthrough the next year, winning his first PGA Tour event at the Wachovia Championship by defeating former British Open champ Ben Curtis by five shots. At the time, Kim's 16-under par 272 total was the lowest score in the history of the tournament. For his victory, he earned $1,152,000 and shot up to 16th place in the World Golf Rankings. Just two months later, Kim won his second PGA Tour tournament, the AT&T National. He defeated Freddie Jacobson by two shots, shooting a 5-under 65 in the fourth round to claim the victory. With this win, Kim moved up to 14th place in the World Golf Rankings. Following a pair of T3 finishes in the final two events of the 2008 FedEx Cup, he shot up to sixth place.

Kim continued his success in 2009, when he played his first Masters Tournament. In the event, he set the record for most birdies in a round, with 11 in the second round. Later in the year, Kim reached the finals of the Volvo World Match Play, where he ultimately lost to Ross Fisher. Kim went on to win the Kiwi Challenge in November with a bogey on the first extra hole. In the spring of 2010, he won his third PGA Tour event, the Shell Houston Open, by defeating Vaughn Taylor in a playoff. Shortly after that, Kim recorded his best career finish at the Masters, coming in third. Despite his strong start, Kim was hampered for most of the rest of the 2010 season due to injury. Back in action in 2011, he had his best finish at the British Open, coming in T5. The following year, Kim suffered an Achilles tendon injury in his left leg that required surgery, forcing him to miss most of the season. After that, he stopped playing in tournaments. However, in early 2024, it was reported that Kim was in talks to return to professional golf.

LIV Golf

In early 2024, Anthony Kim ended the sport's most famous hiatus by signing with LIV Golf as a "Wild Card" player. His return was reportedly facilitated by a signing bonus—estimated between $5 million and $10 million—specifically structured to offset the loss of his career-ending insurance policy. Kim's initial performance reflected the rust of a 12-year absence; he failed to earn a single point in the 2024 and 2025 seasons and was officially relegated from the league at the end of 2025.

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Refusing to return to retirement, Kim entered the LIV Golf Promotions event in early 2026, where he finished third to successfully regain his tour card. Shortly thereafter, he was signed to Dustin Johnson's 4Aces GC to replace the departing Patrick Reed. This move paid immediate dividends in February 2026 at LIV Golf Adelaide. Entering the final round five strokes behind, Kim fired a course-record-tying, bogey-free 9-under 63 to defeat Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau by three strokes. The victory, his first in nearly 16 years, earned him a $4 million individual prize and solidified his transformation from a "what-if" story into a modern champion.

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

US National Team

Beyond the PGA Tour, Kim had success playing with the US men's national team. In 2005, he and the team won the Walker Cup in Wheaton, Illinois. Later, in 2008, Kim was a key player in the US's victory over Europe in the Ryder Cup. He went on to help the US win the 2009 Presidents Cup by posting a 3-1 record.

Shaq Vs.

In 2010, Kim appeared in the second season of the reality television show "Shaq Vs.," featuring basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal challenging various other top athletes in their own sports. In his episode, Kim teamed up with Shaq to take on golf star Bubba Watson and NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley in a five-hole match. Kim and Shaq ended up winning in sudden death.

All net worths are calculated using data drawn from public sources. When provided, we also incorporate private tips and feedback received from the celebrities or their representatives. While we work diligently to ensure that our numbers are as accurate as possible, unless otherwise indicated they are only estimates. We welcome all corrections and feedback using the button below.
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