Anthony Kim has taken added another name in his comeback story by becoming an investor and partner in Malbon Golf, a lifestyle apparel brand already backed by several tour players, including Charley Hull. The move comes just weeks after his win at LIV Golf Adelaide, his first victory in 16 years.
Anthony Kim had joined the brand earlier this year as an ambassador alongside Jason Day, Fred Couples and Michael Block. Now he will also own a stake in the business.
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Golf journalist Josh Carpenter reported the news on X, noting that Kim will wear Malbon gear outside of LIV Golf events, where his team outfit is tied to Under Armour.
During his win in Australia, Anthony Kim wore FootJoy shoes along with Malbon socks, which unexpectedly became part of the story
“It was funny … he said they were kind of questioning [the Malbon-branded socks], and he said that he told him he was really comfortable in these specific socks,” Malbon said of Kim. “And then he won and made his entire team $500,000 each because he played so well. So he said, ‘Believe me, they’re not going to have any concern with my socks anymore.’”
The original plan was a mix of cash and equity. After collecting a large winner’s check in Adelaide, Kim reportedly chose ownership only.
“He won last week and got some big checks out of that and said, ‘I don’t want any cash, give me all equity,’” Malbon said. “So he’s now a partner in the company.”
The partnership will also include a joint clothing line, including items with the phrase “Don’t f%*king quit.” Kim negotiated the deal himself with help from his wife and currently does not have an agent.
“This partnership with Malbon feels right because, just like me, it’s not for everyone — and that’s OK. We ride with the ones who choose to be different,” Kim said in a statement to SBJ.
Kim has been competing on LIV Golf as a wildcard since his return to professional golf in 2024. The Malbon deal marks his first major brand collaboration since that comeback. Earlier in his career, he was one of Nike’s prominent staff players.
How Anthony Kim’s partnership with Malbon came together
Anthony Kim’s connection with Malbon goes back to before his LIV return. He met founder Stephen Malbon through Chris Armstrong, his former agent from his PGA Tour days. The two later became close, in part because both had spoken openly about sobriety.
At the time Anthony Kim already had an apparel deal with Extracurricular, a company that has since shut down. Once that agreement ended in late 2025, talks restarted about working together in competition.
Those plans changed when Kim joined LIV Golf’s 4Aces GC which has a team apparel deal with Under Armour.
“He called and said, ‘Hey, I got offered from Dustin Johnson. I’m going to go on the Aces and I feel horrible.’ And I said, ‘Well, dude, don’t feel horrible. It is what it is. Congratulations,’” Malbon told SBJ.”
Even so, both sides stayed in touch and finalized the partnership after Anthony Kim’s win in Adelaide. He will wear Malbon apparel during practice rounds, non LIV appearances and in his off course content.
Malbon also said Kim’s outspoken personality was not a concern.
“It’s tangible and relatable when people are truly humans, and as humans, we all go through something or know someone who goes through something,” Malbon said. “So I think it’s refreshing to see someone who’s kind of brutally honest and shares their opinion.”
Founded by Stephen and Erica Malbon in 2017, the brand has grown quickly in golf’s lifestyle space. Its roster includes players such as Jason Day, Charley Hull, Fred Couples and Jesper Parnevik, and it regularly collaborates with companies including Srixon, TaylorMade, New Balance and Jimmy Choo, with Lexus as an automotive partner.
Edited by Sonali Verma