Hasn’t been the easiest’: Jon Rahm posts emotional first LIV individual victory in U.K.
In his 11th career start on the LIV Golf circuit, Jon Rahm has achieved his first individual title, a milestone that has brought him both immense joy and a deep sense of relief. Rahm, who had previously been part of three team victories with his Legion XIII squad since joining the tour last November, stood on the 18th green of JCB Golf and Country Club in Rocester, England, with tears in his eyes as the final groups completed their rounds on Sunday evening.
As Rahm watched the concluding moments of the tournament, it became apparent that his teammate, Tyrrell Hatton, had made a critical error. Hatton’s bogey on the par-4 18th hole handed Rahm the victory by a single shot. Rahm, who had finished his round with a birdie on the last hole, shot a 4-under-par 67, bringing his total to 13 under par and securing the LIV Golf United Kingdom title.
In the aftermath of his triumph, Rahm expressed a mixture of satisfaction and empathy. “You never want to see it end like that,” Rahm said, referring to the circumstances that led to his win. “I almost wish we would have got it done in the playoff.” Rahm’s sentiment highlighted the bittersweet nature of his victory, given the way the tournament concluded.
Hatton, who finished tied for second along with Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann, struggled to come to terms with his final hole misstep. “It’s obviously still pretty raw for me as an individual,” Hatton admitted. “It’s kind of hard to put that to one side. … It sucks to bogey the last in front of your home crowd to effectively miss out on a playoff.” Despite his personal disappointment, Hatton found solace in the fact that his team, Legion XIII, clinched their fourth victory of the season.
For Rahm, this victory was not just about winning but also about celebrating multiple achievements. “Finally got one done,” Rahm remarked, reflecting on the significance of the win. “You never want to get those feelings to go on for too long, and to get over the hump feels incredible. It’s been a fantastic week and a fantastic year, and just relieved that it happened.”
Rahm’s 2024 season has been marked by challenges and personal trials. He has experienced a notable drop in the Official World Golf Ranking, falling from No. 3 to No. 10. His performances in the major tournaments have been less than stellar, with a tie for 45th at the Masters, a missed cut at the PGA Championship, and a withdrawal from the U.S. Open due to a foot infection. Although he managed a top-10 finish with a tie for 7th at The Open, his year has been turbulent.
Off the course, Rahm’s life has been further complicated by personal matters. In March, Rahm and his wife, Kelley, announced they were expecting their third child, a baby girl. The pregnancy has faced complications, with Kelley being placed on bedrest among other challenges. Rahm’s emotional reaction to his victory can be partly attributed to the personal struggles he and his family have endured throughout the year.
“This year hasn’t been the easiest for our family,” Rahm explained. “Kelley and I have gone through quite a bit, and she has gone through even more, being on bedrest among many other things. To get this one done – she did tell me, our son Kepa said to bring a trophy home in this stretch of golf, and 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 at them and say I’m bringing one home for them.”
With his recent victory, Rahm now shifts his focus to the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, where he will represent Spain for the second time. As he prepares for this new challenge, Rahm’s win at LIV Golf United Kingdom stands as a testament to his resilience and determination amid a year full of trials and tribulations.
