At Trump National Bedminster, Jon Rahm finished only 41st, yet this was enough to secure his third consecutive LIV Golf season championship title early. Meanwhile, Chilean Joaquin Niemann confidently won the tournament, finishing three strokes ahead of his closest competitor and bringing his personal tally of league victories to nine.
For Rahm, the current season served as a validation: following last year's triumph without a single individual tournament win, the Spaniard this time claimed victory twice and finished second on four other occasions. Even an off-week in New Jersey couldn't stop him — his lead over closest rival Bryson DeChambeau reached 219 points with two events remaining.
Niemann, in contrast, continues to display a rare consistency for LIV. Leading from day one, a final round of 69 strokes, and a meeting with President Trump after the award ceremony — all these appear as a natural continuation of his dominance. In two and a half seasons, the Chilean has already won more than anyone else in the league.
The difference in approaches between the two season leaders is evident. Rahm relies on consistency and the ability to accumulate points even during less successful weeks, whereas Niemann wins through spectacular surges and mental resilience. One accumulates the title bit by bit, the other through impressive individual victories.
The situation in LIV Golf increasingly resembles a chess match, where money and format are no longer the primary arguments. The main thing is who can maintain focus longer under a packed calendar and high stakes. Rahm proved that it's possible to win the race without winning every tournament. Niemann demonstrates that frequent wins are possible, even while remaining somewhat in the shadow of the overall standings.
In two weeks, the individual season will conclude in Indianapolis, with the team championship final taking place in Michigan at the end of August. It is already clear: even without spectacular victories in recent weeks, Rahm will go down in league history as one of its most consistent champions, while Niemann will be remembered as its most successful 'trophy hunter' for individual titles.
