Jon Rahm finally wins again with commanding LIV Golf Hong Kong triumph

Jon Rahm ended a 539-day wait for an individual victory by claiming the title at LIV Golf Hong Kong, while 4Aces GC celebrated their first team win in nearly three years at Hong Kong Golf Club.

Rahm produced a composed final-round 64 to finish at 23-under-par and secure a three-shot victory, finally converting a run of strong form into silverware after consecutive runner-up finishes to start the LIV Golf season.

The Spaniard, captain of Legion XIII, admitted the victory brought more relief than celebration after such a long drought since his last individual win at the 2024 LIV Golf regular-season finale in Chicago.

“Very relieving,” Rahm said. “That’s the only way I can describe it. I’ve been very ecstatic for wins in the past, but this one just feels like a big weight off my shoulders.”

Starting the final round tied for the lead with Thomas Detry and Harold Varner III, Rahm quickly seized control with four birdies in his opening eight holes.

A bogey at the 9th briefly slowed his momentum, but the decisive moment arrived on the 14th. Rahm wedged his approach from 90 yards to seven feet and rolled in the birdie putt, while Thomas Pieters dropped a shot ahead of him – a two-shot swing that effectively sealed the contest.

Rahm arrived on the 18th tee with a five-shot lead before signing for a closing 64 and a winning total of 23-under.

Detry finished runner-up on 20-under, with Pieters taking third at 19-under.

While Rahm celebrated individually, the team honours went to the resurgent 4Aces.

Once the dominant force in the early days of LIV Golf under captain Dustin Johnson, the team had not won since June 2023. But their revamped line-up — Johnson alongside Pieters, Detry and Anthony Kim — delivered a superb final-round charge to secure victory.

Johnson led the way with a 65, while Kim and Pieters both posted 66s and Detry added a 67 as the team combined for a 16-under final round. Their overall total of 58-under gave them a comfortable six-shot win over Smash GC.

“To finally get a win after a few years without one, I’m very proud of the guys,” Johnson said. “We have a completely new team, but I think we have a very strong side.”

Kim played a key role late on, making birdie on his penultimate hole before Detry followed with another to help the 4Aces pull clear down the stretch.

The American had been competing as a wildcard in his previous LIV seasons, meaning Sunday marked his first team victory since joining the 4Aces earlier this year.

“Obviously we all play to win,” Kim said. “But with LIV Golf you get to win with three other guys you’re battling alongside. That’s pretty special.”

Despite Legion XIII’s strong team success since Rahm joined the league, the Spaniard admitted he had been eager to end his own personal drought.

“It’s very fun when you can celebrate with your teammates,” Rahm said. “But as a competitor, I wanted to get this done myself. There’s a sense of self-accomplishment and pride that comes with it.”

Pieters, who finished third individually while helping the 4Aces to the team title, summed up Rahm’s week simply.

“I played very, very good all week,” he said. “But I can’t control the fact that Jon is unbelievable at golf.”