By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Charles Laberge/LIV Golf).
The Legion XIII captain Jon Rahm dominated the back nine once again on Saturday to remain atop the leaderboard at 14 under through three rounds of LIV Golf Mexico City in Naucalpan, Mexico.
Rahm overcame a double-bogey on the par-4 fifth hole and a 1-over showing on the front nine by shooting 5 under on the back nine to post his second consecutive 4-under-par 67. Through three rounds this week, the Spaniard has shot 11 under on the back nine at Club de Golf Chapultepec.
Waiting just behind is teammate Tyrrell Hatton, who fired a 5-under 66 to move into solo second at 12 under, setting up a compelling final-group pairing between two teammates who have already proven to be a formidable duo on the biggest stage. It’s the first time since joining LIV Golf prior to the 2024 season that Rahm and Hatton are in the final group in the final round.
“I don’t see the dynamic changing a lot, but I can imagine we’re going to be speaking a little bit less than we do normally just because of the situation we’re going to be in,” Rahm said. “Down the stretch, no matter who we’re playing with, the conversations are very limited.”
Hatton knows the challenge that awaits as he tries to chase down Rahm, the league’s current points leader and reigning two-time Individual Champion.
“I’ll be trying to make as many birdies as I can to overtake Jon, but that’s going to be a difficult task,” he said. “He’s proved many times how to win golf tournaments. He’s been incredibly consistent this season so far on LIV. It’s going to be a tough day, but hopefully I can play well and see what happens.”
Rahm and Hatton have gone 4-0-1 together in Ryder Cup play — and while this will be the first time they’ve been paired in the final round of a LIV Golf event, their history suggests a compelling showdown Sunday.
Lurking just behind them is another Legion XIII teammate, Tom McKibbin, who is tied for third with Southern Guards GC’s Branden Grace at 11 under, just three shots off the lead and firmly within striking distance. McKibbin acknowledged the unique dynamic of competing against his teammates while also contributing to the team effort.
“Tomorrow we’ll all be going out there just to shoot the best score possible, and we’ll see where that stands after four days,” McKibbin said. “It’s sort of a weird position. We’re all playing against each other but then playing with each other … it’ll be an interesting day.”
A group of five players sit at 10 under – Smash GC’s Harold Varner III, Fireballs GC’s Josele Ballester and David Puig, HyFlyers GC’s Scott Vincent and RangeGoats GC’s Matthew Wolff.