Jon Rahm acknowledged that Joaquin Niemann was likely more deserving of claiming the LIV Golf championship title after narrowly edging out the Chilean competitor. Despite losing in a play-off, Rahm secured his second consecutive LIV Golf victory, finishing at 22-under in Indianapolis on Sunday.
The triumph earned the 30-year-old a significant prize of £13.3 million. Rahm, who shot 11-under on the final day, fell short of being crowned the LIV champion for that specific weekend, as that honor went to Sebastian Munoz, Niemann’s fellow player at Torque GC. Munoz set a remarkable record by shooting a 59 on Friday, showcasing exceptional golf skills despite a double bogey.
Niemann, with five wins this year compared to Rahm’s zero, voiced his opinion that the points system for LIV Golf should be reconsidered following his close miss in the overall standings. However, he commended Rahm’s performance, describing it as impressive and acknowledging the challenge he posed during Sunday’s event.
Ending the tournament tied for fourth place at -17, Niemann reflected on his performance, admitting that despite playing well, his putts did not deliver the desired results. Rahm, after finishing as a runner-up in multiple play-offs, expressed mixed feelings about his victory, suggesting potential flaws in LIV’s current system.
Praising Niemann for his exceptional year and £5.9 million bonus, Rahm acknowledged the Chilean’s outstanding achievements and suggested that Niemann might have been more deserving of the win based on his successful season. Rahm now adds a second LIV Golf triumph to his impressive record, which includes victories at the 2023 Masters and the 2021 US Open, along with several other notable top-five finishes in major tournaments.
The top performers from the LIV event in Indianapolis included Munoz (-22*), Rahm (-22), Dustin Johnson (-20), Niemann (-17), David Puig (-17), Branden Grace (-17), and Carlos Ortiz (-17).
