Anthony Kim could qualify for a major in 2026 after winning the LIV Adelaide. Here’s how:Brenton Edwards/AFP via Getty Images
Anthony Kim stunned the golf world this weekend with a monumental win at the 2026 LIV Golf Adelaide event. This was shocking since Kim Byung-hyun had been having a tough time on the course since he started his comeback two years ago. And it was my first win. within 16 years (Not to mention that he wrestled with Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau in the process).
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But there’s at least one way Kim could take her shocking comeback to a whole other level. That is to play in this year’s major championship.
Remarkably, Kim is now in position to qualify for two majors in 2026 (US Open and British Open Championship), which will be her first major appearance since 2011. Not only that, but he also has potential for two other major tournaments (The Masters and PGA Championship). And he’s thankful for two new exemption criteria and one rule change.
Here’s what you need to know:
Anthony Kim’s 2026 Masters Qualification Status
The first, and perhaps most important, major tournament of the year is the 2026 Masters, to be held at Augusta National from April 9th to 12th. Kim had the best finish in major history (T3) at the 2010 Masters. His last appearance was in 2011.
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Kim’s road to her first Masters appearance in 15 years may be the toughest of all majors. Barring a surprise special invitation, the only way for Kim to qualify for the 2026 Masters is to reach the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) by April 6.
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Anthony Kim celebrates LIV Adelaide win
Thanks to important rule changes enacted this year, Kim has a realistic chance of making that happen. Ahead of the 2026 LIV season, OWGR officially recognizes LIV Golf for the first time. Currently, the top 10 players in LIV events earn world ranking points.
The change paid off in a big way for Kim on Sunday. Thanks to the win at LIV Adelaide, Kim 847th place to 203rd place At OWGR. To earn a tee time at the 2026 Masters, 153 slots must be filled by April.
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There are three LIV tournaments left before the Masters, and Kim will need one or two more wins to advance to Augusta.
Anthony Kim’s 2026 PGA Championship Eligibility Status
Kim’s path to her second major of the year, the PGA Championship at Alonimink in May, will also depend on her world ranking. The PGA Championship’s world ranking-based exemption criteria differ from the Masters, but they tend to be more generous.
Traditionally, players who rank within the top 100 of the OWGR before the tournament are given an invitation to the PGA. This means Kim will lose 50 spots in the world rankings and it will take her more time to reach that point than she did at the Masters.
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Anthony Kim’s 2026 US Open Eligibility Status
Similar to the Masters and PGA Championship, Kim can qualify for the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills through her world rankings.
At the U.S. Open, spots will be awarded to players who rank in the top 60 by May 18 or the week before the tournament. In other words, that’s how Kim was able to earn tea time.
But that’s not his only path to the tournament.
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Anthony Kim celebrated his come-from-behind victory at LIV Golf Adelaide at Australia’s Grange Golf Club on Sunday.
Last year, the USGA announced a new special exemption for LIV players to the 2025 and 2026 U.S. Open. For the 2026 event, “top players who have no other exemptions and are in the top three in the 2026 LIV Golf Individual Standings as of May 18, 2026” will be exempt from competing in the tournament.
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Therefore, for Kim to qualify for the U.S. Open, he only needs to finish in the top three in this year’s LIV individual rankings, provided that the players above him have already been exempted.
And it’s well within reach for AK. After his win at LIV Adelaide, Kim sits in second place in the LIV Individual Rankings, with only Rahm above him.
Additionally, “local exemptions” to the 36-hole final stage of U.S. Open qualifying will be “awarded to the top 10 players in the 2025 LIV Golf final individual standings and the top 10 players in the 2026 individual standings as of April 6, 2026.” Therefore, Kim could qualify and participate in the qualifying tournament through the LIV standings.
Anthony Kim’s 2026 British Open Qualification Status
As for the 2026 Open at Royal Birkdale, Kim’s chances of qualifying are similar to the U.S. Open.
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Spots at the British Open Championship will be awarded to the top 50 OWGR players as of late May.
However, the British Open is also offering a LIV-specific exemption for the 2026 event. According to the R&A, open spots will be awarded to “the first and tied players in the 2026 LIV Golf Individual Season Standings at the end of LIV Golf Louisiana, and those who are not otherwise exempt.”
Similar to the US Open, Kim is currently in a position to earn this Open exemption based on her No. 2 LIV personal ranking. To qualify for the British Open in July, he must maintain his ranking until the end of LIV Golf Louisiana on June 28th.
The post Anthony Kim aims for major start with big win (and rule change) appeared first on Golf.
