Jon Rahm wins first LIV Golf individual by one stroke over Cam Smith, Tyrrell Hatton, Joaquin Niemann
After nine consecutive top 10s to start his LIV Golf career, Jon Rahm has finally claimed his first individual title. With a record of 63-70-67, the Spaniard did just enough on Sunday at JCB Golf & Country Club to win by a stroke at 13 under to finish ahead of Tyrrell Hatton, Joaquin Niemann and Cameron Smith and claim the LIV Golf UK Championship.
“It’s emotional, you know, it’s not easy for our family,” Rahm said. “Kelly and I have been through a lot… and to get this done — she told me that our son, Kepa, said he was going to bring a trophy home from this golf course. I started to believe that it was going to happen at some point today, maybe not in the last 20 minutes, but at least I could look at the camera and say I’m going to bring one home for them. To finally get one done. You never want those emotions to last too long and to get through it was awesome. It’s been a great week and a great year and (I’m) just relieved that it happened.”
Despite a string of top-10 finishes on LIV Golf, Rahm’s 2024 has been marked by far fewer impressive performances than his 2023. Winless since taking the green jacket in April 2023, the former world No. 1 has not been a key part of his defence before missing the cut at the PGA Championship and withdrawing before the U.S. Open. A quality outing at Royal Troon produced a long-overdue T7 and served as an appetizer to this week’s main course.
Trailing Andy Ogletree by four strokes, who started his round with back-to-back birdies, Rahm kept his head down and went to work. At two under par, he exploded on the back nine with three birdies on the first four holes of the inside half. With Ogletree struggling to stay in shape and the likes of Paul Casey leaving the stage left, Rahm was the last man standing.
However, a triple bogey, including a short missed par putt at the par-3 17th, opened the door for his teammate Hatton to step up. With Rahm in the club at 13 under, one behind Niemann and Smith, Hatton was the last man standing to usurp the Legion XIII captain. After finding the green in regulation on the difficult par-4 18th, the Englishman faced a 60-foot shot to claim the individual crown. The tables were turned immediately when Hatton left himself a 6-foot putt to force a playoff, which he eventually hit low, handing Rahm the title.
It wasn’t all bad news for Hatton and his Legion XIII team, who won the team competition by three strokes over Ripper GC with Rahm, Caleb Surratt and Kieran Vincent all contributing. While Hatton won’t be representing Great Britain at the Olympics next week, Rahm will be flying the flag at Le Golf National alongside compatriot and teammate David Puig.
“I think it’s a little bit tougher to walk down 18 or down the back nine if I don’t win, but getting through it and getting it done, I think it’ll give me a little bit more confidence if I put myself in a good position for Sunday,” Rahm said. “I’m really looking forward to sharing this week with David. [Puig]. It’s been great and hopefully one of us can win a gold medal.”
