Anthony Kim jumps 600-plus(!) spots in World Ranking. What are his chances of qualifying for this year's majors?

Disbelief remains the overwhelming reaction to Anthony Kim’s triumphant comeback victory Sunday at LIV Golf Adelaide. Afterall, Kim’s return to professional golf in 2024 following a 12-year hibernation had essentially been a disappointment. In 24 LIV Golf starts in 2024 and 2025, Kim’s best individual finish was a 25th-place showing last summer, and he was forced to go through LIV’s version of Qualifying School just to be able to play in 2026.

But over the course of four days in Australia, posting a 23-under 265 in front of the biggest crowds LIV has to offer, to beat LIV’s biggest stars in Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, the 40-year-old Kim changed everything regarding his legacy. The comeback many fans had hoped for had materialized, if merely 22 months later than first expected.

So what’s the next chapter? Well, with LIV Golf’s new arrangement with the Official World Golf Ranking, Kim earned 23.13 OWGR points, allowing him to jump from 847th to 203rd in the latest ranking. The massive move provides Kim the potential in the coming months to play his way into major championships in 2026.

The first on the horizon is the Masters, where Kim played three times previously, finishing T-3 in 2010, and where he still memorably holds the record for most birdies in a round (11 in the second round in 2009). Kim would need to be in the top 50 in the OWGR the week prior to the Masters in order to earn an automatic invitation. With just three LIV events between now and then, continuing the rise might be a long shot, which is why some took to social media this weekend to see if they might convince the powers that be at Augusta National that a special invitation is in order.

Beyond the Masters, the PGA of America typically invites the top 100 (and sometimes a few more) off the OWGR into the field for the PGA Championship under its special exemption category, giving Kim a runway to play at Aronimink Golf Club outside Philadelphia in May. The last of Kim’s five career PGA Championship starts came 2011. Sentimentally, he might get a special look from the PGA of America after his mesmerizing stint on the U.S. Ryder Cup team back in 2008.

Next up is the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. The USGA is expected to release its official criteria for qualifying this week when it opens up online entries on Wednesday. If it’s similar to last year, the USGA will offer an exemption through local and final qualifying for all those in the top 60 in the OWGR at a May cutoff and shortly before the championship in June. Additionally, the USGA already announced it is holding an exemption for the top points earner in LIV events in 2025 and 2026 not already exemption for Shinnecock to get into the field, allowing for Kim to get into the Open that way as well.

Lastly, the R&A invites the top 50 in the OWGR in May and also has a separate path for top LIV golfers that would allow Kim to qualify to play at Royal Birkdale if he continues to show his new form.

Suffice it to say, disbelief will no longer be the way people might feel should Kim find his way into a major in 2026.