Jon Rahm sweeps LIV Golf tournament, season-long points titles in Chicago

CHICAGO – Jon Rahm was nervous but few would have noticed as he captured two titles on Sept 15, winning the 2024 LIV Golf League individual championship with his victory at LIV Golf Chicago at Bolingbrook Golf Club.

The Spaniard, in his first year on the tour after leaving the PGA Tour in December, collected his second tournament victory this season with a bogey-free, four-under 66 in the third round for 11-under 199.

He earned US$4 million (S$5.2 million) and collected the US$18 million prize for the season points crown.

The 29-year-old won by three strokes over his main competition for the season-long title, Chile’s Joaquin Niemann (bogey-free 66), and fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia (bogey-free 68).

“Today was a special day in many ways,” Rahm said. “I woke up really nervous today, as I thought I would, and even warming up, I told Adam (Hayes, his caddie), man, I’m nervous. But I wanted to do a really good show and get it over the line. Just really happy I played as good as I did.

“To go bogey-free on the weekend, one bogey all tournament, it’s quite spectacular.”

Rahm entered the tournament leading Niemann by 2.97 points in the season standings.

He had a one-shot lead starting the day and birdied Nos. 3, 6, 10 and 17.

Garcia, who was in second going into the final round, birdied the sixth and 14th holes but could not keep pace.

Niemann, tied for fourth and three shots off the pace after two rounds, started strong with birdies on the par-four first hole and par-five third but could not gain ground with only birdies at Nos. 11 and 15.

England’s Tyrrell Hatton was alone in fourth place at seven under following a round of six birdies and a bogey at No. 16 for a 65.

Crushers led the team competition by four shots after Sept 13 and were tied with Cleeks at 10 under through two rounds. They emerged at 14 under for a one-shot victory over Legion XIII and team captain Rahm.

India’s Anirban Lahiri carded a 67 on Sept 15, while team captain Bryson DeChambeau shot 68, Britain’s Paul Casey 70 and Charles Howell III 71.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Paul, ‘Baan’ (Lahiri) and Charles for sticking through it,” DeChambeau said.

“When Charles was not here for quite a while (leg injury), it was tough for us, but John (Catlin) filled in nicely, and once we had ol’ Chucky back here, he delivered for us today. He didn’t do his best here, but we’re all a team here, and that’s why we play LIV Golf.”

Legion XIII with Rahm, Hatton, Kieran Vincent and Caleb Surratt, were at 13 under. Fireballs were third at 12 under, with Cleeks falling to seventh at eight under.

The tour’s team championship is from Sept 20 to 22 at Maridoe Golf Club near Dallas in Carrollton, Texas. REUTERS, AFP