Jon Rahm has suggested how close he got to playing his best golf after securing his first victory since 2024 with a three shot win at LIV Golf Hong Kong on Sunday.
The Spaniard went into Sunday with a point to prove after finishing second in both Riyadh and Adelaide. He had also not won on any tour since September 2024.
But midway through the back nine on Sunday in Hong Kong, it became apparent that Rahm would be putting himself at the top of the podium.
Jon Rahm gives his immediate reaction to winning LIV Golf Hong Kong
Rahm made four birdies in a row from the 13th hole on his way to finishing three shots ahead of Thomas Detry.
It leaves the 31-year-old well clear at the top of the individual standings as he sets his sights on a third successive season-long title.
Of course, Rahm won the title last year despite failing to win a single individual event. With that, he told TNT Sports that he felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders immediately after holing the winning putt.
“That’s the exact word I would use, very relieved. Very, very relieved. Just happy that I could enjoy the walk down 18. I made it a little more sour for myself, but going down 17 knowing that it was pretty much wrapped up was just an enjoyable feeling. It was probably why I missed a few shots coming down the stretch, but just happy it’s over in that sense,” he said.
“Compared to Adelaide, I went in with a mindset of just trying to be committed to each shot. It was a little tentative on that day. And that’s why, that back nine, once I made that putt on 13, my mindset was to birdie them all coming in, even Adam said it after the birdie on 15. I played really good all day. Even though I shot six under, what could have been with quite a few short putts missed and an errant tee shot on 18. It was incredible, but I just tried to stay very patient and committed to each shot knowing that I was doing everything right.
“I think that was a theme this week. There was always a stretch of five holes where it’s easy to think you’re leaving a couple out there. And then, once one putt goes in, I get going and rifle off about three or four in a row. So just glad it happened again today.
“Funnily enough, I wish you could have seen my driving exhibition on the first round range warm-up. I walked off to that third tee with no clue how I was going to hit it. Somehow managed to keep it in play and each day got a little bit better. I was not comfortable whatsoever, there was a lot going on this week and I think there was some tension in me on that first day. But each day, a friend of mine, David Novak, he said, ‘each day, get better’, and each day got a little bit better. And today, coming down the stretch, those swings from 13 through 16 were absolutely perfect swings. I think those holes were peak Jon Rahm.”
Rahm looks ahead to The Masters after his victory
We are edging closer and closer to the first major of the year at The Masters. Rahm won at Augusta National back in 2023, so it is slightly ominous for those who will be in the field that he is playing so well.
But when asked about how important his form is ahead of The Masters, Rahm insisted that there is plenty of work still to be done.
“Game is good. What is it? Still a month before Masters week? So still a lot of golf to play for. I’m in really good shape, feeling really comfortable, looking forward to it, but we have two more events on my mind now before we can go to The Masters,” he added.
It could be hugely significant that Rahm has ended that wait for a win before The Masters. He will head to Augusta National having reminded himself of how to get across the line.
A confident Jon Rahm is a very dangerous Jon Rahm.