Rahm Holds Court in Spain as Gooch Steals Individual Honours
Legion XIII surges late to clinch team title while Talor Gooch withstands pressure at Valderrama
Las Vegas - Jon Rahm’s homecoming at Real Club Valderrama produced the rousing scenes Spanish fans craved, though it was American Talor Gooch who stood tallest on the individual stage, claiming a second victory at LIV Golf Andalucía and setting a new benchmark in the league’s young history.
Rahm’s Legion XIII rallied from five shots behind on Sunday to claim their third team crown of the season — and seventh overall — edging Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC in a tense finish. “Can’t believe back-to-back years we got a win with a Spanish member on the team, so at least keep it in the family,” Rahm said. “That’s something I’m happy about. What a great Sunday we had.”
While Rahm thrilled the partisan crowd with a bogey-free 65 — his lowest ever round at Valderrama — Gooch proved impervious under pressure. His 1-under 70 held off Rahm by a single stroke at eight under par, earning him a 13th LIV Golf trophy, more than any other player to date. “That’s a pretty cool stat,” Gooch said. “I didn’t know I had the most trophies on LIV. I’ll be sure to let everyone know in JCB that that’s the case.”
Gooch’s victory was hard-earned. A four-shot overnight lead dwindled after early bogeys, and by the 14th he found himself tied with Rahm at six under. But the American rolled in a crucial 19-footer for birdie immediately after, and his deft approach to the 18th set up the decisive par. “There’s a few shots on that back nine that I’m going to never forget,” Gooch admitted. “That second shot on 18 is one of those moments.”
The team competition was decided by fine margins. Legion XIII’s collective 12-under final round bettered Fireballs by one. Alongside Rahm’s brilliance, Tom McKibbin carded a lively 66, Caleb Surratt rebounded from a poor front nine to shoot 70, and Tyrrell Hatton closed with a 71 and a pivotal final-hole birdie. “We know how quickly things can change,” Hatton reflected. “Jon and Tom had a fantastic day today, and that certainly was the main reason why we’re sat here now.”
McKibbin, the 22-year-old from Northern Ireland, challenged for his first individual win before two late bogeys, yet his tie for fourth marked a career-best and built confidence ahead of The Open at Royal Portrush. Rahm, ever the mentor, said: “Tom has got one of the prettier swings on this planet. He’s close to getting a big one at some point.”
For others, Valderrama proved a timely reprieve. Ripper GC’s Matt Jones and Stinger GC’s Branden Grace, both hovering near the relegation zone, delivered clutch performances — Jones matching Rahm’s low round of the day and Grace securing his best finish in over a year. “It’s been a tough two years,” Grace said candidly. “But I’ve never given up.”
The result also brought an end to notable streaks: Crushers GC’s three-event winning run was halted as they finished seventh, while Joaquin Niemann’s pattern of alternating victories ceased, though he retains his lead atop the individual standings with Rahm closing in.
LIV Golf moves next to JCB in the UK, where Gooch will aim to extend his record haul — and no doubt remind his peers of his place in the league’s history. For Rahm and his Legion, however, the Spanish Sunday belonged to them. As their captain summed up: “Today I played one of the better rounds of golf I’ve played in a very long time. It’s hard to do on this golf course.”