MEXICO CITY — Jon Rahm concluded a turbulent week on the LIV Golf circuit with a stellar performance, shooting a closing 7-under 64 to secure a six-shot victory at LIV Golf Mexico City. This win marks Rahm's second triumph of the year, a significant turnaround after he endured a winless season last year while still claiming the points title.
This was a welcomed return for Rahm at the Chapultepec Golf Club, a site where he faced disappointment in 2017 during his time on the PGA Tour. He began his final round with remarkable flair, making a birdie on the reachable par-4 second hole followed by an eagle on the third, establishing an early lead.
"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," said Rahm, who previously tied for 38th at the Masters. "Hell of an effort."
Rahm's commanding victory was set against a backdrop of uncertainty surrounding the LIV Golf league. Recent weeks included speculation about its financial stability, prompting CEO Scott O'Neil to reassure staff that the league would be financially secure through the year's end. Amidst this, LIV announced plans to return to Chapultepec in the upcoming season.
Adding more drama to the event, the opening round was disrupted by a power outage that left the streaming service offline for a period, heightening concerns about the league's infrastructure.
Another significant storyline from Mexico was Bryson DeChambeau's withdrawal from the competition due to wrist discomfort, despite his efforts to compete for a third consecutive victory on LIV Golf. DeChambeau exited the tournament 16 strokes back from Rahm, saying through 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."
Reflecting on his performance amid challenging conditions, including shifting winds on the course, DeChambeau acknowledged the difficulty of the round: "Yeah, there's no doubt there was a fight out there. The wind was all over the place. I was super frustrated in my own right. Just hitting shots and having the wind completely flip when I hit shots."
Meanwhile, Rahm's success propelled his Legion XIII team to its first win of the year. His teammate, David Puig, finished strong with a 66, securing vital world ranking points. This effort has nearly assured him a spot in the upcoming PGA Championship, with another good finish in the next event potentially leading him into the U.S. Open as well.
"In general, this golf course is not easy. The greens are firm. They're very, very good. They're rolling great," Rahm remarked on the challenges posed by the course, highlighting the critical need for precision. "So if you're feeling good with the putter, you can have a lot of good chances. But it's not easy. You've got to hit fairways and be really accurate with the mid-irons."
Looking ahead, LIV Golf will next convene in Virginia from May 7-10, a key date as players prepare for the PGA Championship shortly thereafter. Rahm's victory not only enhances his standing in the league but also brings renewed enthusiasm as the players gear up for the next challenges on the calendar.