MEXICO CITY — Jon Rahm capped off a tumultuous week by delivering a stunning performance, finishing with a 7-under 64 to clinch a six-shot victory at LIV Golf Mexico City. This triumph marks Rahm's second victory of the year after a difficult season where he failed to secure a win despite being the points champion.
Reflecting on his unexpected success, Rahm noted, "If you would have told me last week on Thursday afternoon that I'd be winning by a six-shot margin this week, I would not have believed you because of how bad I played. Hell of an effort.”
Despite the challenges he faced at Chapultepec Golf Club in previous years, Rahm was undeterred this time, starting strong with a birdie on the reachable par-4 second hole, swiftly followed by an eagle on the third. His performance was notable for its steadiness; he completed the round without a single bogey.
The week leading up to the tournament was fraught with uncertainties surrounding the future of LIV Golf. CEO Scott O'Neil reassured staff in a memo that funding would remain intact through the end of the year amidst public speculation about the league's financial sustainability. Moreover, LIV Golf announced that it would return to Chapultepec in the following year.
Technical issues added to the tension, as a power outage on Tuesday caused streaming issues for two hours during the opening round. The event also saw Bryson DeChambeau withdraw from the final round due to a wrist injury. DeChambeau, who was trying to achieve a third consecutive win on the LIV circuit, was trailing Rahm by 16 strokes at the time of his exit. He stated on social media, "I experienced some discomfort in my wrist during yesterday's round and have decided to withdraw from the final round of LIV Golf Mexico City to prevent further injury. Not how I wanted this week to go."
In the context of his own performance, Rahm was pleased with his execution. "I felt really good. Started off great those first two holes. Even a great tee shot on 3, which is hard to do. Bad second shot. But 4, 5, 6, all great shots. I didn't make many bad shots, many bad swings today,” Rahm observed. He continued to analyze the day's conditions, noting, "I think towards our final nine holes, the wind started switching, so there were a few shots...it's just not the easiest trying to guess."
Rahm's victory also elevated his team, Legion XIII, marking their first win of the year. David Puig finished in second place with a score of 66, garnering important world ranking points that are likely to secure him a spot in the upcoming PGA Championship.
As the golf world turns its attention to future tournaments, including LIV Golf Virginia, Rahm's resilience and performance in Mexico City reaffirm his status among elite players. The events of this week serve as a testament to both the unpredictability and determination present in professional golf today.