MEXICO CITY (AP) — Jon Rahm capped off a chaotic week with a six-stroke victory Sunday at LIV Golf Mexico City with a 7-under 64, his second win of the year on the Saudi-funded circuit.
Although Rahm won the points title, he was winless in LIV all last season. And he had previously experienced disappointment at Chapultepec Golf Club in 2017 during the World Golf Championships.
There was no doubt this time, as he birdied the reachable par-4 second hole and holed out for eagle on the next hole. He played without a bogey.
“If you had told me last Thursday afternoon that I was going to win by six strokes this week, I wouldn’t have believed you because I played so poorly,” said Rahm, who is tied for 38th at the Masters. “It’s a lot of effort.”
Uncertainty surrounding the Saudi-funded league has been in the air this week, with CEO Scott O’Neill writing a memo to staff confirming LIV’s funding through the end of the year, amid reports speculating about the league’s financial future.
LIV announced Sunday that it will return to Chapultepec next year.
A power outage occurred on Tuesday, further heightening speculation. Streaming was interrupted for two hours during the opening game. And Bryson DeChambeau withdrew from the final round, saying he didn’t want to make his wrist injury worse.
DeChambeau, who was aiming for the first three consecutive wins in LIV Golf history, was 16 strokes behind Rahm when he stopped playing.
“During yesterday’s round, I felt some discomfort in my wrist and decided to withdraw from the final round of LIV Golf Mexico City to prevent further injury,” DeChambeau said in a social media post. “This week didn’t go the way I wanted it to.”
DeChambeau has been evaluated and said he hopes to compete at LIV Golf Virginia May 7-10, one week before the PGA Championship.
Rahm drove and his Region XIII team also won for the first time this year.
David Puig shot a 66 to take second place, earn valuable world ranking points and almost guarantee a spot in the PGA Championship. The Spaniard is on the verge of qualifying for the US Open with another top finish in Virginia.
