Jon Rahm’s LIV Golf team is set to welcome a new member in 2025 following the relegation of Kieran Vincent, with several big names on the Spaniard’s wishlist.
The two-time golf major champion led his Legion XIII side to an impressive second place in the team standings last time out, finishing just behind Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC. After signing for the rival tour in December 2023, Rahm was named captain of the LIV team that includes Tyrrell Hatton and Caleb Surrat. However, as we approach the 2025 season, Rahm is in need of a new signing after the fourth member of the team, Vincent, was relegated from the league this year.
With Rahm and Hatton enjoying impressive individual seasons, the captain will be hoping to add a fourth player who not only has the ability to compete in LIV, but also to excel individually. Here’s how Rahm’s dream line-up could look next year…
Hatton continues his impressive form
Tyrrell Hatton had a successful 2024 season with LIV, finishing third in the individual standings behind only Joaquin Neimann and his Legion VIII captain Rahm.
His top three finish earned him a $4million (£3.1m) bonus on top of the $12m (£9.4m) he made across his first season on the tour. The Brit, who won at LIV Golf Nashville in June, proved to be a valuable member of Rahm’s team, which finished second in the LIV standings this past season, just eight and a half points behind champions Crushers GC, led by DeChambeau.
Finau reunites with Rahm
With Vincent’s relegation from LIV Golf in 2024, there’s an opening in Legion XIII, and many eyes are on Rahm’s close pal Tony Finau to fill the vacancy. Despite previously turning down an offer to join the controversial Saudi-backed league, the strong bond between Finau and Rahm has fuelled plenty of chatter about a potential change of heart.
The duo struck up a friendship at Silverleaf golf club in Scottsdale, Arizona, where Rahm has been vocal about Finau’s character, saying, “If you don’t get along with Tony Finau, there is something wrong with you,” and praising him as “Top one for sure and he’s just a fun guy – nice to be around. When it comes to golf, we’re both extremely competitive. We have a great friendship, we clicked right away but that competitiveness drives both of us to play better. And obviously, unless I’m playing with him on the golf course, I want to see him win.”
Despite the criticism Rahm faced for his late 2023 switch to LIV after committing to the PGA Tour, Finau expressed support for Rahm’s decision to Sports Illustrated: “I’m happy for Jon. He made the best decision he felt was right for his family and himself. I’m happy for him.”
Should Finau stay with the PGA Tour and decline any LIV offers, Rahm might consider another Spaniard, Angel Hidalgo, as an alternative for his team.
The Spaniard has long been identified as one of the key targets for the 30 year old, and Rahm, more than most, recognises the talent that Hidalgo possesses, having been bested by the 26 year old in a play-off at the Open de Espana in September. The 2023 Masters champion hasn’t held back from expressing his desire for his new recruit to be endorsed by his sponsor Callaway, to ‘encourage’ the brand to establish a connection with his LIV team. Given that Hidalgo is also affiliated with Callaway, it makes a potential move for the gifted golfer a logical choice.