Westfield, USA, August 18 (AP) – Jon Rahm once again clinched the LIV Golf season points title, despite not clinching a victory in any event throughout the year. Rahm completed the tournament with a remarkable 11-under 60 but was ultimately bested in a playoff by Sebastian Munoz at the Indianapolis event, falling at the first extra hole.
In an impressive feat, Munoz secured his victory just a couple of days after becoming the first player to card a 59 with a double bogey. The Colombian showed incredible resilience as he birdied the final two holes during regulation play, finishing with a 65 and tying with Rahm at 22 under at The Club at Chatham Hills.
Rahm, unfortunately, experienced a similar fate the previous week outside Chicago, where he was also defeated on the first extra hole in a three-way playoff against Dean Burmester and Josele Ballester. On this occasion, Munoz clinched the victory with a 6-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th, edging out the Spanish sensation.
“It's a great moment, but it just doesn't feel great to finish the year losing two playoffs,” Rahm commented. “I'm sure over time I'll get over that, and I'll really appreciate what I've done this year. To be able to win the season without actually winning a tournament, I know I'll be proud of that.”
Joaquin Niemann, who had an impressive season with five victories, yielded the season points title to Rahm. Niemann posted a 66 to secure a tie for fourth at 17 under, marking his first top-10 finish of the year without a win.
“It's kind of hard to swallow,” Niemann stated. “But at the end of the day, I think it is what it is. I feel like it's 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.”
Munoz and Niemann led Torque GC to seize the team event championship, setting a new record with a 64-under total, breaking the previous LIV mark of 53 under.
“I got a little lucky that he didn't hit as close to me, and I finished it quick,” Munoz reflected. “First time I've ever beaten him, so really proud of that and happy that I got to go home with the trophy.”
On another note, Ian Poulter demonstrated skill by birdieing four of his last five holes for a 67, securing a tie for 17th and narrowly avoiding relegation from the tour. Unfortunately, his Majesticks teammate Henrik Stenson was relegated, after missing a crucial 20-foot birdie putt on the final hole that would have kept him on the tour and left Poulter out.
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