Jon Rahm shows true colours after labelling maiden £3.1 million LIV Golf win ‘bittersweet’
Jon Rahm experienced a mixture of triumph and disappointment after securing his first LIV Golf victory at LIV UK, held at the JCB Golf & Country Club. Rahm, the captain of Legion XIII, achieved this milestone in what was a bittersweet moment for him, as his victory came at the expense of his teammate Tyrrell Hatton.
In a gripping final round, Rahm emerged victorious by a slender margin of one shot, finishing with a total of 13-under-par. His final-round score of four-under-par 67 was enough to secure the win, but it was not without its share of drama. Heading into the final hole, Rahm and Hatton were tied at 13-under, with the prospect of a playoff looming. However, a crucial error by Hatton on the 18th hole – a three-putt – allowed Rahm to seize the title.
While Rahm’s victory was a significant personal achievement, he could not fully enjoy the moment due to the circumstances of his win. Hatton, who had been a strong contender throughout the tournament, found himself in a heartbreaking position after the final hole. Despite securing a tie for second place alongside Cam Smith and Joaquin Niemann, the error on the last hole meant that Hatton missed out on his chance to claim the top spot.
In the aftermath of the win, Rahm expressed a sense of mixed emotions. During his celebration, he acknowledged the bittersweet nature of the victory, highlighting his empathy for Hatton. “It was bittersweet,” Rahm reflected. “I’ve got to give Tyrrell a lot of credit; he’s a fantastic player, and you never want to see it end like that. I wish it had been on a playoff.” Rahm’s sentiments were consistent throughout his post-tournament interactions. “Obviously, you always want to win,” he continued. “Selfishly, you always want to get that done. But you don’t want to see a teammate and a good friend miss a putt for that to happen for me. It’s a bit of an unusual situation that I don’t think any of us are used to.”
Despite the personal achievement, Rahm’s sense of celebration was tempered by his respect and friendship with Hatton. The win was significant not only for Rahm individually but also for his team, as Legion XIII secured both the individual and team titles at the event. However, Rahm’s thoughts remained with Hatton, a player he deeply respects and has shared numerous experiences with.
On the other hand, Hatton found himself grappling with a complex array of emotions. While he was pleased to contribute to Legion XIII’s success in securing their fourth team title of the 2024 season, the individual loss was a hard pill to swallow. “It is hard to put that to one side,” Hatton admitted, while reflecting on the outcome of the tournament. “Golf is generally an individual sport, and your individual results reflect the team.” Hatton’s frustration was evident, as he struggled to reconcile his own performance with the overall success of the team.
In the final analysis, while Rahm’s victory was a landmark achievement, it underscored the intricate balance of personal and team success in professional golf. With Rahm now turning his attention to completing the season double, he remains in second place in the individual standings, behind Joaquin Niemann. Meanwhile, Legion XIII continues to lead the season-long team standings. The emotional complexities of Rahm’s win and Hatton’s near miss underscore the multifaceted nature of competition in professional golf.
