Rahm in the dark over his big miss
A lost ball off the tee on the second-last hole of his first LIV event cost Jon Rahm another $7m payday to go with his nine-figure sign-on fee as the Saudi-backed tour’s biggest signing fell just short of victory in the season-opening event in Mexico.
Instead, reigning Australian Open champion Joaquin Niemann took down Sergio Garcia on the fourth hole of a playoff in earlyevening darkness, with the duo needing the light from the big screen next to the 18th hole to illuminate the course as they fought to secure the $6m winner’s cheque.
Despite his late error, Rahm’s new Legion XIII team still cruised to the opening team victory of the season, with all four final-round scores counting towards the total for the first time, giving him a share of the $4.6m team prize.
LIV boss Greg Norman copped criticism for failing to get “even close” to the number of players he spruiked would join the rebel league.
But Rahm’s immediate impact, coming from behind on the final day to nearly seize victory and missing the playoff by a single shot, was telling, with large crowds at Mayakoba following the Masters champion.
“You compete to win, if you’re not competing to win, you don’t compete,” Rahm said, rebuffing any suggestion the no-cut, guaranteed prizemoney events, plus his massive sign-on fee, reported to be as much as $400m, would impact his drive for success.
“I’m very disappointed in myself, it’s a tough pill to swallow, but I’m very proud of my team.
“This team was just assembled on Monday and we came in and made an impact. The team aspect definitely helped me rally.”