{"id":358046,"date":"2025-08-20T00:06:13","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T00:06:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/358046\/"},"modified":"2025-08-20T00:06:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T00:06:13","slug":"why-jon-rahms-18-million-liv-golf-payday-was-bittersweet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/358046\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Jon Rahm’s $18 million LIV Golf payday was ‘bittersweet’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jon Rahm wasn\u2019t exactly in the mood for a victory lap Sunday when he claimed his second straight LIV Golf Individual Championship title<\/a> and an $18 million bonus.<\/p>\n

When reflecting on his performance in Indianapolis this past weekend, the two-time major winner called the moment \u201cbittersweet\u201d after falling short in a playoff for the second consecutive week and missing out on an individual tournament victory for the 2025 season.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know I\u2019m supposed to be happy, it\u2019s a great moment, it doesn\u2019t feel great to finish the year losing two playoffs,\u201d Rahm, 30, began. \u201c\u2026 I\u2019m sure over time I\u2019ll get over that, and I\u2019ll really appreciate what I\u2019ve done this year. To be able to win the season without actually winning a tournament, I know I\u2019ll be proud of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A visibly disappointed Jon Rahm describes how it was a bittersweet day. He lost in a playoff for the second straight week but also won the LIV individual season title and $18 million prize, “One could argue he (Joaquin Niemann) was probably the more deserving guy to win this.” pic.twitter.com\/qLlv4KnlAA<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Chris McKee (@mrmckee) August 18, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Jon Rahm spoke following his performance at LIV Golf\u2019s Indianapolis event on Aug. 17, 2025. Getty Images<\/p>\n

Rahm, in his second season on the Saudi-backed circuit, shot an 11-under 60 Sunday in the final round of the Indianapolis tournament, tying Sebastian Mu\u00f1oz for the top slot. <\/p>\n

In a one-hole playoff on the par-4 18th at The Club at Chatham Hills, Mu\u00f1oz sank a birdie while the Legion XIII captain carded a par.<\/p>\n

A similar scene unfolded the week before in Chicago, where Rahm was edged out in a one-hole playoff by Dean Burmester, who birdied the par-4 18th at Bolingbrook Golf Club.<\/p>\n

Jon Rahm, a two-time major champ, did not win any individual titles on the LIV Golf circuit in 2025. Getty Images<\/p>\n

Joaquin Niemann won five LIV Golf events individually in 2025. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Despite those crushing finishes, the Spaniard managed to eclipse points leader Joaquin Niemann (223.68) \u2014 the individual victor of five tournaments this season \u2014 to claim back-to-back Individual Championship titles with 226.16 points.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s played incredible golf, and one could argue he was probably the more deserving guy to win this, but we have the point system that we have, and somehow, I don\u2019t know how I managed to pull through and get it done, so extremely proud of that,\u201d Rahm said.<\/p>\n

Jon Rahm posed with the LIV Golf Individual Championship trophy on Aug. 17, 2025. Getty Images<\/p>\n

Niemann, who competes on Mu\u00f1oz\u2019s Torque GC club, said the result was \u201ckind of hard to swallow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut at the end of the day, I think it is what it is,\u201d he said<\/a>. \u201cI feel like it\u2019s going to put something inside me to kind of work harder and try to be in this situation again next year and make it different.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rahm pocketed $20.25 million<\/a> from Sunday\u2019s finale at Indianapolis, $2.25 million for his second-place finish and $18 million for the season championship, according to Golf Week.<\/p>\n

The former world No. 1 joined the PGA Tour\u2019s rival<\/a> in December 2023 for a multiyear deal worth a reported $500 million.<\/p>\n

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