BOLINGBROOK, Ill. — Jon Rahm finished his first year in the LIV Golf League with a 4-under 66 to win the final individual event on Sunday and capture the season points title with an $18 million bonus.
Rahm missed two short birdie putts on the back nine, leaving Joaquin Niemann and Sergio Garcia in the thick of things, but he made a 12-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole to move within three strokes heading into the final hole at Bolingbrook Golf Course.
It was Rahm's second victory in the Saudi Arabia-funded league, following a title he won in Britain last month. Between those two victories, Rahm lost in a playoff to Brooks Koepka.
Niemann, who had won twice to start the season, was the only player who could challenge Rahm for the season title. Niemann had two birdies early on but couldn't gain an advantage after that, with a birdie on the 15th hole and a par save on the 16th hole to pull within two strokes.
Nieman shot 66 and Garcia finished tied for second with 68.
“I wanted to play well and get the finish. I'm really happy,” said Rahm, who admitted to feeling nervous on the driving range. “To go bogey-free over the weekend is really nice. I'm really proud of that putt on 17, it made 18 a lot easier.”
The Crushers won the team title and will compete in the team championships next week in the Dallas area to conclude their third season.
Rahm, who finished at 11-under 199, won $4 million for the tournament and $18 million for the season. He was the best-known player to join the Saudi Arabia-backed league in December and has finished in the top 10 in every LIV tournament he has played in. Rahm was forced to withdraw from Houston because of a toe infection and will also miss the U.S. Open.
Lucas Herbert shot 68 to finish tied for sixth and secure a spot in the top 24 for next year's LIV Golf League. Kale Samoja climbed into the top 48 and avoided relegation, but bogeyed two of his final three holes and will have to go through qualifying to play again.
