Jon Rahm Fails To Close The Deal Yet Again In Latest LIV Tournament

When Jon Rahm made the blockbuster move to LIV Golf, the expectation was clear: he would dominate. As one of the world’s top-ranked players, a Masters champion, and a proven winner on the PGA Tour, Rahm was supposed to be the biggest fish in a smaller pond. The wins, it was assumed, would come easily and often.

Jon Rahm’s Terrible Pattern Continues

Yet, here we are, watching a concerning pattern emerge. Despite consistently being at the top of the leaderboard, Rahm has developed a baffling inability to close out tournaments. His recent performance at LIV Golf Adelaide was just the latest example of this troubling trend, where another Sunday slip-up cost him a victory and left fans wondering what is happening to the fiery Spaniard.

Another Sunday, Another Disappointment

The story of Jon Rahm at LIV Golf Adelaide was a familiar one. He played brilliant golf for three rounds, entering the final day tied for the lead with Bryson DeChambeau at an incredible 19-under par. With a five-shot cushion over the rest of the field, the tournament was shaping up to be a two-man race between two of golf’s biggest names.

But when the pressure mounted on Sunday, Rahm faltered. He managed a lackluster 1-under 71, allowing for one of the most improbable comeback stories in recent memory. Anthony Kim, a player who walked away from the sport for over a decade, stormed back with a 9-under 63 to claim the title.

While Kim’s victory is an inspiring tale of redemption, it overshadows the real story for Rahm: he blew a five-shot lead. For a player of his caliber, this kind of collapse is inexcusable. It wasn’t a case of being outdueled by another top-tier competitor; it was a failure to perform when it mattered most. This wasn’t an isolated incident, either. It was the second straight tournament where Rahm finished in solo second place, continuing a winless streak that stretches back to September 2024.

A Pattern of Near-Misses

The move to LIV was supposed to provide an easier path to the winner’s circle. The fields are smaller, the competition is arguably less deep than the PGA Tour, and the format is different. Yet, for Rahm, victory remains elusive.

Since joining the league, he has been a model of consistency, finishing no worse than T11 in any of his 15 LIV Golf starts. On the surface, that looks impressive. But for a player of Rahm’s stature, consistent top-10s without a win is not a badge of honor; it is an indictment. It proves that he can get himself into contention, but it also proves he has lost the killer instinct required to seal the deal.

This inability to close has also crept into his major championship performances. In his seven major starts since joining LIV, Rahm has not been a serious contender in any of them. His best finish was a T7, a far cry from the player who once seemed destined to collect multiple major trophies. The fiery competitor who willed himself to victory now seems to play his worst golf when the lights are brightest.

What’s Behind the Slump?

Pinpointing the exact cause of Rahm’s struggles is difficult. Is it a technical flaw? A mental block? Or a consequence of his new environment?

One theory is that the less-competitive nature of LIV Golf has dulled his edge. On the PGA Tour, Rahm had to battle week in and week out against a full field of the world’s best. Every shot mattered. On LIV, he can play well and still cruise to a high finish and a massive paycheck. This could be creating a mental complacency that only reveals itself on Sunday when the pressure to win is at its peak.

Another possibility is the weight of expectation. Rahm was paid a reported nine-figure sum to be the face of LIV Golf. That kind of money comes with immense pressure to not just compete, but to win. With every near-miss, that pressure compounds. He might be pressing too hard, trying to force a victory instead of letting his natural talent take over.

Whatever the reason, the trend is undeniable. The player who was once one of the most feared closers in the sport is now the player you expect to falter down the stretch.

Can Rahm Get His Mojo Back?

Jon Rahm is too talented to stay winless forever. Eventually, he will break through and get another victory. But the longer this drought continues, the harder it will be to regain the swagger that made him a world-beater.

Confidence in golf is a fragile thing. Right now, Rahm is a player who knows he can compete, but he may no longer believe he can win. Until he hoists another trophy, the questions will continue to mount, and the pressure will only grow stronger. The golf world is watching, waiting to see if Jon Rahm can once again become the closer he was always meant to be.