Jon Rahm began the 2026 LIV season with a performance full of competitive weight at LIV Golf Riyadh, the first event on the calendar and the debut of the new 72-hole format. The Spaniard came within touching distance of victory, finishing runner-up at 23-under, after a week of relentless pressure and a closing surge that kept the tournament on edge until the final green.
From the opening round at Riyadh Golf Club, Rahm looked solid in every department, staying consistently in the lead pack and managing the course with the kind of composure that separates contenders from the rest. As the days went by, the title race began to take shape—and, true to his style, Rahm never drifted away from the very top.
The key moment came in the fourth and final round, when Rahm signed for a 63 (-9), the lowest score of the tournament, in a finish that showcased the champion’s mindset: four straight birdies to close and a spectacular last hole, where his power off the tee left him a genuine chance to complete the comeback. The late charge was total, but the win slipped away by just one shot to Elvis Smylie, who held firm when it mattered most.
Beyond the result, Riyadh delivered a clear message: Rahm starts the year the way he ended the last one—always in the mix, building momentum and competitive rhythm from week one. On the team side, Legion XIII finished T4 in the team standings, in a tournament won by Ripper GC, led by captain Cameron Smith.
A second-place finish that underlines the headline: the season has only just begun, but Jon Rahm is already playing to win. And when that happens in the first event of the year, the bar is set exactly where he likes it—high.