Jon Rahm Crowned Champion in First LIV Golf Season
Jon Rahm’s debut in the LIV Golf League has been nothing short of dramatic. After a rocky start, the Spanish golfer turned the tide, finishing the season as the LIV Golf individual champion. This victory not only silenced critics but also cemented Rahm’s place as one of the top golfers in the controversial league.
Rahm’s season came to a thrilling conclusion with a win at the LIV Golf Chicago event held at Bolingbrook Golf Club. His final-round score of 66 secured the victory and clinched the season-long individual title. It was a triumphant end to what had been a challenging year for Rahm, who had faced criticism for not winning enough and underperforming in major championships.
Despite early setbacks, including a 45th-place finish at the Masters and a missed cut at the PGA Championship, Rahm showed remarkable resilience. A foot infection forced him to withdraw from the U.S. Open and miss a LIV event, adding to the challenges he faced. However, Rahm bounced back stronger than ever, finding his form once his foot healed and with a new driver shaft that suited his game better.
Rahm’s first win of the season came at the LIV Golf UK event, just after tying for ninth place at the British Open. His momentum continued to build as he reached the final round of the Olympic golf tournament, though he missed out on a medal. In the LIV Golf Greenbrier event, Rahm came tantalizingly close to another victory, losing in a playoff to Brooks Koepka.
But the real turning point came in Chicago. Rahm’s final win of the season wasn’t just about the trophy—it earned him an $18 million bonus for claiming the individual title. Adding the $4 million he won from the event’s $20 million purse, Rahm’s season earnings skyrocketed to an impressive $34,754,821.
The success didn’t just stop with Rahm’s individual achievements. As captain of LIV Golf’s Legion XIII team, Rahm now has his sights set on the upcoming LIV Golf Team Championship in Dallas. A win there would add another highlight to his remarkable season. Rahm is also balancing his personal life, with his wife Kelley expecting their third child, and his commitments to the DP World Tour, where he will be competing in several events to remain eligible for next year’s European Ryder Cup team.
In reflecting on his season, Rahm emphasized the significance of his achievement. “It’s a different accomplishment because it’s not just one week,” Rahm said. “Being able to win the season-long race in two out of the three big leagues and having almost done it on the PGA Tour as well, it’s a different feeling.”
Rahm’s resilience and ability to rebound from early setbacks have made this season especially meaningful. His ability to win under pressure, culminating in his individual title, marks a defining chapter in his career and proves that he can excel on any stage—even one as controversial as LIV Golf.
With more tournaments ahead and his focus shifting toward the Ryder Cup, it’s clear that Jon Rahm’s story for 2024 is far from over. But for now, he can relish in the fact that he has conquered the LIV Golf League and silenced his doubters in the process.