Jon Rahm capped a tumultuous week on the LIV Golf circuit with a dominant performance, posting a seven‑under‑par 64 on Sunday to secure a six‑stroke victory at LIV Golf Mexico City. This win marked Rahm’s second triumph of the season on the Saudi‑backed tour and underscored his ability to rise above the surrounding controversy.
The past several days have been marked by a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the future of the LIV Golf league. In an effort to calm growing speculation, league chief executive Scott O'Neil circulated an internal memorandum to staff, assuring them that the organization has secured funding through the end of the calendar year. This reassurance was intended to counter rumors that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) might be withdrawing its financial backing, a scenario that would have profound implications for the league’s operations. These concerns were amplified after reports emerged suggesting the PIF was preparing to end its support.
Adding to the drama, the tournament in Mexico experienced a two‑hour power outage on Tuesday, which forced the live stream to go dark during the opening round. Despite the technical hiccup, the league announced that it will return to Chapultepec Golf Club for the 2025 edition, signaling confidence in the venue and the event’s long‑term viability. Rahm’s path to victory was anything but ordinary.
After a winless stretch on LIV last season—though he did capture the points title—he entered the Mexican tournament with a point to prove. Earlier in his career, Rahm had also faced disappointment at Chapultepec when it hosted a World Golf Championship in 2017, making this win feel like a form of redemption.
The Spaniard’s round began decisively on the second hole, a reachable par‑four where he recorded a birdie. He followed that with an eagle on the next hole, a spectacular finish that set the tone for the rest of his day. Rahm navigated the course without posting a single bogey, a testament to his precision and composure under pressure. "If you had told me on Thursday that I would win by six strokes this weekend, I wouldn’t have believed you because of how poorly I had been playing," Rahm admitted after the round.
The comment highlighted the dramatic turnaround in his form, especially considering his modest finish—tied for 38th—at the Masters just weeks earlier. While Rahm celebrated, fellow competitor Bryson DeChambeau made the decision to withdraw from the final round. The American, who was aiming to become the first player to win three consecutive LIV events, cited a wrist injury that he did not want to exacerbate. At the time of his withdrawal, DeChambeau trailed Rahm by 16 strokes.
"I felt some discomfort in my wrist during yesterday’s round and have chosen to sit out the final round of LIV Golf Mexico City to avoid further injury," DeChambeau posted on social media. He added that he hopes to be evaluated in time for the upcoming LIV Golf Virginia tournament, scheduled for May 7‑10, just a week before the PGA Championship. Rahm’s victory also propelled his Legion XIII team to a win, their first of the season. Team success is a unique feature of the LIV format, where individual performances contribute to a collective score, adding another layer of strategy and camaraderie to the competition.
Spanish golfer David Puig finished a close second with a 66, earning valuable world‑ranking points that virtually guarantee his entry into the PGA Championship. Puig is also within striking distance of qualifying for the U.S. Open, should he secure another strong finish at the upcoming Virginia event. Looking ahead, the next stop on the LIV Golf calendar is LIV Golf Virginia, set to take place at Trump National Golf Club in Washington, D.C., from May 7 to May 10.
The tournament will serve as a critical test for both the league’s financial stability and its ability to attract top talent amid ongoing debates about the role of Saudi money in professional golf. Overall, Rahm’s six‑stroke triumph in Mexico not only provided a bright spot in a week fraught with speculation but also reinforced the message that the LIV Golf circuit remains a competitive and financially viable platform for elite golfers. As the league continues to navigate the scrutiny of its funding sources, performances like Rahm’s demonstrate that the on‑course product remains compelling for players and fans alike.