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In a dramatic finish to the final round of the LIV Golf tournament in the UK, Jon Rahm secured an emotional victory after a tense battle on the final hole. Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton were tied for the lead at 13-under par heading to the 18th tee at JCB Golf and Country Club in Uttoxeter.
Rahm entered the final day three shots back but fired a 4-under 67 to finish at 13 under (200), tied with England's Tyrrell Hatton entering the 18th hole. Hatton narrowly missed a short par putt which would have forced a playoff, handing Rahm the victory in front of large crowds enthusiastic about hosting a top professional event in the English Midlands.
HENRY NICHOLLS
Hatton, who grew up just two hours away from the course, had the advantage of the massive home crowd support. But it was Rahm who held his nerve down the stretch. After both found the fairway on the par-4 closing hole, Hatton missed a bogey putt from just five feet, opening the door for Rahm to claim the win.
"I’ve got to give Tyrrell a lot of credit," said Rahm afterwards. "He's a fantastic player and you never want to see him like that."
It's also his first as part of the new LIV Golf series. Upon the victory being confirmed, the normally stoic Rahm was overcome with emotion, burying his face in his hat to hide tears.
It was clear the victory carried extra significance for Rahm, who openly wept in the aftermath. The Spaniard explained the challenges of his wife Kelley's current pregnancy, noting their son Kepa had encouraged him to bring home a trophy.
Rahm's last win came at the 2023 Masters and it has been over 15 months since his last professional victory of any kind. It's also his first as part of the new LIV Golf series. Upon the victory being confirmed, the normally stoic Rahm was overcome with emotion, burying his face in his hat to hide tears.
“It’s just emotional,” explained Rahm. “It hasn't been the easiest year for our family. Kelley and I have gone through quite a bit, and she has gone through even more. To get this one done [is huge]. She did tell me our son, Kepa, said to bring a trophy home from on this stretch of golf. I started to believe it was going to happen, [but] maybe not in the last 20 minutes. At least I can look at Kepa and say, ‘I'm bringing one home.’”
During the final round, Rahm methodically gained strokes with two front-nine birdies and then key strokes on the 632-yard par-5 10th and 627-yard 13th holes moved him into contention. Though he dropped a shot on the signature 17th hole, it was not enough to deny his first place finish. Rahm's solid season on the LIV tour moves his squad, Legion XIII, into the number one position in the team standings as well.
Hatton's disappointment on the 18th when he missed a short par putt, leaving him with a final round score of 69, which placed him in a tie for second at 12-under for the tournament alongside Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann. Smith and Niemann also carded 69 and 65 respectively on Sunday.
“Heartbreak for Hatton” 💔
— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) July 28, 2024
His missed putt means @JonRahmOfficial wins his first LIV Golf League title 🏆#LIVGolf @LegionXIIIgc pic.twitter.com/9ZyX6RNAcx
Cameron Smith's team Ripper GC finished as the runners up, while Bryson DeChambeau's Crushers GC ended the week in third place in the team standings.
Rahm now looks ahead to representing Spain at the upcoming Olympics in Paris, where men's golf will be contested at Le Golf National. The venue holds special memories for the Spanish star, as it was the site of his famous singles victory over Tiger Woods that helped drive Europe's Ryder Cup triumph in 2018.
Rahm will be joined on the Spanish team by LIV Golf teammate and compatriot David Puig. In speaking after his emotional win, Rahm said overcoming his recent struggles should give him confidence heading into the intense pressure of the Olympics.
"Getting over the hump [today] I think gives me a little extra confidence if I [were to] put myself in a good position come Sunday, so I'm really looking forward to sharing the week with David," he added. Rahm expressed excitement about teaming up with Puig and representing their country together in Paris.
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