Jon Rahm produced an outstanding performance at LIV Golf South Africa, where he came within touching distance of the individual title until the very end. The player from Barrika finished runner-up after losing in a playoff to Bryson DeChambeau, closing the tournament with a magnificent 63, eight under par, in the final round. It was a painful ending given how close victory was, but it was also a week full of positive signs and golf of the highest level.
Jon’s final tally at Steyn City was 65 on Thursday, 66 on Friday, 64 on Saturday and 63 on Sunday, for a total of 258 shots, 26 under par. It was an extraordinary sequence, built with patience and solidity, that allowed him to climb all the way into a share of the lead after 72 holes. Only the playoff kept him from turning one of his best weeks of the season into a victory.
The tournament began with very good feelings. On Thursday, Jon opened with a 65, six under par, immediately putting himself in a competitive position. It was a high-quality, very composed round that made it clear his game was in a strong place and that he would have plenty to say as the week went on.
He kept the level high on Friday with a 66, five under par. Rahm continued to build his tournament with purpose, without forcing anything, but with the consistency of someone who knows how to wait for his moment. It was another complete day that kept him close to the lead and set the stage for a weekend charge.
Saturday brought another step forward. He posted a 64, seven under par, and moved fully into contention for the title. It was a round played with authority, the kind that completely changes the outlook of a tournament. Jon put himself in position to attack on Sunday and confirmed he was ready to fight for another win until the very last moment.
Then came his best version on Sunday. Rahm closed the championship with a spectacular 63, eight under par, his best round of the week. It was a brilliant, aggressive and highly precise performance that allowed him to catch DeChambeau at the top of the leaderboard. In the playoff, however, the win slipped away on small details, leaving Jon just short after a tremendous final push.
Because if Jon made one thing clear in South Africa, it was his ability to raise his level in the decisive moments and bring out his best golf when he needed it most. He did not leave with the individual trophy, but his tournament was of an extremely high standard and once again projected that total competitiveness that always makes him a real threat whenever he is near the top.
In the team competition, Legion XIII was also unable to finish the week the way it wanted. Jon’s team ended outside the top three, while Crushers GC won at 76 under par, just one shot ahead of Southern Guards GC (-75), with Torque GC (-72) in third place. It was not the ideal finish in that category, but Rahm’s individual battle once again offered a very clear sign of the level at which he is competing.
LIV Golf South Africa 2026 did not bring Jon Rahm the final reward, but it did leave many reasons to come away stronger. He came up just short, yes, but he did so while competing until the very last shot, with two extraordinary closing rounds and the unmistakable feeling that victory was right there. Sometimes playoffs do not go your way, but the level he showed once again confirmed that Jon is exactly where he wants to be: always in the fight to win.