Jon Rahm secures LIV Golf Hong Kong victory after 18 months without a global win

Jon Rahm finally ended a frustrating 18-month wait for victory by producing a commanding performance to win the LIV Golf League event in Hong Kong.

The Spanish star surged to a three-shot victory at Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling after delivering a powerful final round that separated him from a tightly packed leaderboard.

Rahm had started the final day tied for the lead alongside Thomas Detry and Harold Varner III. However, he quickly seized control of the tournament with a blistering run early in the round.

Four birdies across the opening eight holes gave Rahm immediate momentum and pushed him ahead of the field. Although a bogey at the end of the front nine slowed his charge, the two-time major champion remained firmly in contention.

The pressure intensified during the closing stretch. With six holes remaining, Rahm held only a narrow one-shot lead over fellow Belgian golfer Thomas Pieters.

But the Spaniard responded with authority.

Rahm unleashed a stunning four-birdie surge beginning at the 13th hole, rapidly extending his advantage and placing the tournament beyond reach for his closest challengers. By the time he reached the final hole, he had built a five-shot cushion.

A composed finish secured the title with a tournament total of 23 under par.

Rahm’s final round of 64 featured eight birdies and two bogeys, demonstrating both aggressive scoring and controlled shot-making under pressure.

Detry finished in second place, while Pieters claimed third, completing a strong showing for Belgian players during the event.

Their performances also helped Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces GC secure the team title, marking the group’s first LIV Golf team victory since July 2023.

For Rahm, however, the victory carried deeper personal significance.

It was his first worldwide win since claiming the LIV Golf Chicago title in September 2024, bringing an end to a prolonged period without lifting a trophy.

The victory also halted a run of near-misses at the start of the current LIV Golf season. Rahm had opened the campaign with back-to-back runner-up finishes, raising questions about when the breakthrough might come.

Speaking after his victory, Rahm admitted the result felt less like a celebration and more like relief.

“Very relieving,” he said.

“That’s the only way I can describe it. I’ve been very ecstatic about wins in the past. This one just feels like a big weight off my shoulder.”

The week in Hong Kong was also shaped by challenges beyond the golf course.

Rahm revealed that several LIV Golf players had faced difficulties travelling to the event after initially being left stranded due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He offered support to help ensure those players could still make the journey to Hong Kong.

Despite those complications, the tournament ultimately went ahead as scheduled, drawing attention not only for Rahm’s return to the winner’s circle but also for the resilience of players navigating travel disruptions.

Rahm’s victory adds another significant moment to a career already filled with major achievements.

The Spaniard has long been regarded as one of golf’s most dominant competitors, winning major championships and establishing himself as one of the sport’s most recognisable figures.

Yet even players of Rahm’s calibre endure difficult stretches, and the extended gap since his previous victory had become a growing storyline within professional golf.

His performance in Hong Kong offered a powerful reminder of the talent that has made him one of the sport’s most formidable competitors.

With momentum restored and the winless run finally behind him, Rahm now looks set to re-establish himself as one of the leading contenders across the LIV Golf League season.

For Rahm, the Hong Kong victory was more than just another title.

It marked the moment the weight was finally lifted.