Jon Rahm Clinches First Individual LIV Golf Title
In an electrifying finish, Jon Rahm claimed his first individual title in LIV Golf with a narrow one-stroke victory, marking a significant milestone in his career. Rahm’s triumphant performance saw him finishing at 13 under, with rounds of 63, 70, and 67, and defeating notable competitors Tyrrell Hatton, Joaquin Niemann, and Cameron Smith.
The final day was filled with intense moments. Rahm, who shot 2 under on the front nine, made an impressive charge with three birdies across the first four holes of the back nine. However, a three-putt bogey on the par-3 17th hole momentarily jeopardized his lead. Tyrrell Hatton kept the tension high, narrowly missing a 6-foot putt on the 18th green that could have sent the match into a playoff.
Reflecting on this emotional victory, Rahm acknowledged the tumultuous journey his family has been through. "It's just emotional, you know, it hasn't been the easiest for our family. Kelly and I have gone through quite a bit,” he shared. “She did tell me our son Kepa said to bring a trophy from this stretch of golf. I started to believe it was going to happen at one point today, maybe not in the last 20 minutes, but at least I can look in the camera and say I am bringing one home for them."
Rahm’s victory in LIV Golf adds to an already impressive series of performances, as he has now achieved nine straight top-10 finishes to kick off his LIV Golf career. Despite a setback earlier in the year when he missed the cut at the PGA Championship and had to withdraw before the U.S. Open in 2024, Rahm’s resilience and determination have been evident in his recent play.
"Finally get one done,” Rahm expressed with relief. “You never want to get those feelings to go on for too long and to get over that hump feels quite incredible. It's been a fantastic week and a fantastic year and (I'm) just relieved that it happened."
Rahm’s victory wasn’t just an individual success—his team, Legion XIII, also emerged victorious in the team competition, edging out Ripper GC by three strokes. The collective efforts of Caleb Surratt and Kieran Vincent played a crucial role in securing the win for Legion XIII.
As Rahm sets his sights on future goals, representing Spain in the Olympics at Le Golf National alongside David Puig stands out. "I think that walk down 18 or down the back nine would have been a little bit harder had I not gotten a win,” Rahm noted, recognizing the confidence boost this victory provides. “Getting over the hump and getting it done I think is going to give me a little extra confidence if I put myself in a good position on Sunday. I'm really looking forward to sharing the week with David. It's going to be fantastic, and hopefully, one of us can leave with the gold."
Elsewhere in the tournament, Andy Ogletree demonstrated his proficiency by starting his final round with back-to-back birdies, showing that he’s a player to watch in future events. Rahm’s journey has also seen him perform well in other prestigious tournaments, including a T7 finish at Royal Troon, illustrating his consistent high-level play.
As Rahm relishes this hard-earned victory, the golf world watches with anticipation for what this consistently top-performing player will achieve next. His story is a compelling testament to the power of perseverance and the unwavering pursuit of excellence.