LIV Golf player Anthony Kim has been nominated for the Best Comeback Athlete award at the 2026 ESPYS, ESPN announced on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
The 41-year-old golfer is one of four nominees for the honor, following his victory at LIV Golf Adelaide in February.
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Kim defeated Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm to claim his first professional title in 16 years.
Comeback Story
Kim's career was interrupted by a 12-year hiatus starting in 2012 due to a severe Achilles injury and other physical setbacks.
During his time away, he struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, mental health issues, and multiple rehabilitation stints.
He returned to professional competition in 2024 via a LIV Golf wildcard, later securing his spot through the LIV Golf Promotions event and joining Dustin Johnson's 4Aces GC.
Motivated by his wife Emily and daughter Bella, Kim celebrated his sobriety and completed his comeback with the Adelaide win.
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The victory lifted the three-time PGA Tour winner back into the top 200 of the Official World Golf Ranking.
This season, Kim also recorded a tied-sixth finish in Virginia in May.
Other nominees include Angel City FC defender Savy King, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, and Texas A&M volleyball player Kyndal Stowers.
Early voting on ESPN social media shows McCaffrey with a narrow lead, but public voting remains open.
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The 2026 ESPYS ceremony, hosted by comedian Marcello Hernández, will take place on July 15 at the David H. Koch Theater in New York City, airing live on ABC and the ESPN App.
