Jon Rahm reduced to tears after landing first LIV Golf League title

Jon Rahm experienced a deeply emotional moment as he clinched his first individual title on the LIV Golf circuit at the JCB Golf & Country Club in Rochester, England. The 29-year-old Spanish golfer was moved to tears after securing the victory, a poignant moment that capped a dramatic final day.

 

Rahm’s triumph came under dramatic circumstances. The pivotal moment unfolded on the par-4 18th hole when his Legion XIII teammate, Tyrrell Hatton, faced a challenging 70-foot putt. Hatton, 32, was attempting to save par and potentially extend the lead, but his putt fell short, leaving him with a difficult four-footer for par. Hatton missed this crucial putt on the low side, resulting in a bogey that allowed Rahm to seize the title by a single stroke.

 

Watching Hatton’s miss, Rahm responded with sportsmanship and respect, applauding his teammate’s effort despite the disappointment. Overcome with emotion, Rahm embraced his caddie, Adam Hayes, and shed tears of relief and joy. His final round of 4-under 67 led him to a finishing total of 13-under par for the tournament, securing his first individual victory since joining the breakaway LIV Golf league this season.

 

The win is particularly significant for Rahm, who reportedly signed with LIV Golf in a substantial deal worth $600 million. Earlier in the week, he had expressed that despite his high profile and expectations, he had yet to win due to the exceptional standard of competition within LIV Golf. The victory at LIV Golf UK provided a much-needed breakthrough.

 

In an emotional statement after his win, Rahm reflected on the significance of the victory. “To finally get one done. You never want those feelings to go on for too long. To get over the hump, it feels incredible. It’s been a fantastic week and a fantastic year and it’s a big relief that it’s happened,” Rahm said.

 

Rahm’s season has been a rollercoaster, marked by both challenges and impressive performances. Earlier this month, he revealed a complication with his wife’s pregnancy, adding a personal layer to his struggles. Despite this, he has demonstrated consistent form with ten consecutive top-10 finishes across the LIV Golf League events he completed. However, his season has not been without setbacks. He was forced to withdraw from LIV Golf Houston due to a foot injury and struggled in the major tournaments, finishing T7 at The Open, T45 at The Masters, and missing the cut at the US PGA Championship. Additionally, he withdrew from the US Open.

 

In addition to Rahm’s individual success, his team, Legion XIII, also claimed the team prize at LIV Golf UK. This victory marked the fourth team win for Legion XIII in their debut season. The team, which includes Caleb Surratt and Kieran Vincent alongside Rahm and Hatton, finished the tournament at an impressive 26-under par, three shots clear of Cam Smith’s Ripper GC.

 

Among other notable performances, England’s Paul Casey finished in solo fifth place. Earlier in the week, Casey had commented that UK golf fans were ‘starved of golf’ in 2024, a remark that was met with some criticism from reporters.

 

Adding to the drama of the week, Ian Poulter delivered a memorable ‘no-look putt’ on the 9th hole, which was witnessed by spectators at his ‘Majesticks Arms’ pub positioned behind the green. Poulter ultimately finished in T27.

 

In summary, LIV Golf UK was a week of high drama and emotion, culminating in Jon Rahm’s breakthrough victory. His win, marked by both personal and professional significance, highlights the intense competition and unpredictability of the LIV Golf circuit.