BOLINGBROOK, Ill. — Jon Rahm ended his first year in the LIV Golf League by closing with a 4-under 66 to win Sunday’s final individual event and the season points title with his $18 million bonus.
Rahm missed short birdie putts on the back nine that kept Joaquín Niemann and Sergio Garcia tied. But then he holed a 12-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole to give him three shots to the final at Bolingbrook Golf Course.
Rahm won the Saudi-sponsored league for the second time, adding to his title in England last month. In between those wins, he lost in a playoff match to Brooks Koepka.
Niemann, who won twice earlier in the season, was the only player who could challenge Rahm for the season title. He opened with two early birdies but couldn’t get ahead, closing within two shots after a birdie on the 15th and a big save on the 16th.
Niemann shot a 66, while Garcia shot a 68. They fought for the second time.
“I wanted to do a good show and cross the line. “To go bogey-free on the weekend, it’s pretty amazing. I’m really proud of the putt on the 17th, which made the 18th a lot easier.”
The Crushers won the team title and will travel to the team tournament in the Dallas area next week for the third season.
Rahm, who finished at 11-under 199, won $4 million for the tournament and $18 million for capturing the season’s race. He was the biggest name to join the Saudi-sponsored league in December last year and was in the top 10 in every LIV event he completed. Rahm had to withdraw from the Houston event with a sprained toe, which also knocked him out of the US Open.
Lucas Herbert shot a 68 to tie for sixth place, placing him 24th which guarantees him entry into the LIV Golf League next year. Kalle Samooja once played his way into the top 48, meaning he will avoid relegation. But he bogeyed two of the last three holes to fall into the relegation zone and must go through the qualifying event to return.
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