Jon Rahm Triumphs at LIV Golf for First Individual Title
Jon Rahm continued his dominant trajectory in the world of golf by securing his first individual title in LIV Golf with a narrow one-stroke victory, capping off a stellar performance that saw him finish 13 under. Rahm's rounds of 63, 70, and 67 culminated in this momentous win, which undoubtedly marks a significant milestone in his career.
The final day was a true test of skill and resilience for Rahm. He started strong, scoring 2 under on the front nine and notched three birdies across the first four holes of the back nine. However, a three-putt bogey on the par-3 17th hole momentarily threatened his lead. Despite this hiccup, Rahm's consistency and poise ultimately saw him through to victory.
Rahm's closest competitors included Tyrrell Hatton, Joaquin Niemann, and Cameron Smith. Hatton, in particular, came tantalizingly close to forcing a playoff, needing only to sink a 6-foot putt on the 18th green. Nevertheless, Rahm's performance throughout the tournament remained just enough to keep him ahead when it mattered most.
Speaking about his win, Rahm described the experience as emotional and meaningful for him and his family. "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.
Despite this being his first individual title in LIV Golf, Rahm’s form has been nothing short of extraordinary, marking nine straight top-10 finishes to start his LIV Golf career. Earlier this season, he faced challenges, missing the cut at the PGA Championship and withdrawing before the U.S. Open in 2024. Yet, Rahm's latest results demonstrate his resilience and unwavering drive to succeed.
Rahm was part of Legion XIII, the team that emerged victorious in the team competition by three strokes over Ripper GC. Caleb Surratt and Kieran Vincent played pivotal roles alongside Rahm, contributing significantly to Legion XIII's triumph.
Looking ahead, Rahm has his sights set on representing Spain in the Olympics at Le Golf National, alongside David Puig. Reflecting on his recent success and what it means moving forward, Rahm expressed his satisfaction and optimism: "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 continued, elaborating on the impact of this victory on his future aspirations: "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."
Also noteworthy was Andy Ogletree's impressive start to his final round with back-to-back birdies, showcasing the high level of competition throughout the event.
Jon Rahm's recent performances, encapsulated by his win at LIV Golf, underline his status as a formidable contender in the golfing world. With his exceptional skill and enduring determination, Rahm is poised to achieve even greater heights in his career, all while bringing pride and inspiration to his family and fans worldwide.