In a thrilling display of skill and perseverance, Jon Rahm clinched his first individual title in LIV Golf with a nail-biting one-stroke victory, finishing at 13 under par. Rahm's victory was hard-fought, with rounds of 63, 70, and 67, ultimately edging out Tyrrell Hatton, Joaquin Niemann, and Cameron Smith.
Rahm’s performance on the final day was nothing short of spectacular. He scored 2 under on the front nine and dazzled with three birdies across the first four holes of the back nine. Despite a hiccup with a three-putt bogey on the par-3 17th, Rahm managed to maintain his composure to secure the win.
Tyrrell Hatton, who came close to forcing a playoff, had a critical 6-foot putt on the 18th green but missed his chance. This slight misstep sealed Rahm's victory and underscored the high-stakes nature of the competition.
Steady Progress and Emotional Triumph
Rahm’s triumph marks a significant milestone in his burgeoning LIV Golf career, extending his streak to nine consecutive top-10 finishes. This victory also serves as a redemption of sorts, following his missed cut at the PGA Championship and subsequent withdrawal before the U.S. Open in 2024.
After his win, an emotional Rahm reflected on the personal challenges he and his family have faced. “It's just emotional, you know, it hasn't been the easiest for our family. Kelly and I have gone through quite a bit … and to get this one done — 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 shared.
Building Confidence for Future Endeavors
Rahm's victory not only adds to his personal accolades but also serves to bolster his confidence as he looks forward to future tournaments. “Finally get one done. 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,” he said.
His recent success puts him in good stead for the Tokyo Olympics, where he aims to represent Spain alongside David Puig at Le Golf National. Reflecting on this upcoming challenge, Rahm remarked, “I think that walk down 18 or down the back nine would have been a little bit harder had I not gotten a win, but 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.”
Team Glory for Legion XIII
In addition to Rahm's individual success, Legion XIII celebrated a team victory, winning the competition by three strokes over Ripper GC. Significant contributions from Caleb Surratt and Kieran Vincent were pivotal, demonstrating the strength and cohesiveness of the team.
Rahm’s consistent performance and recent win are testaments to his enduring talent and relentless pursuit of excellence. As he continues to make his mark in LIV Golf and looks forward to representing his country, fans and competitors alike will be keenly watching his next moves.