There is arguably no question at all that LIV Golf’s biggest coup since the initial crop of players defected involved getting Jon Rahm to sign in December 2023.
While attitudes towards LIV Golf do appear to have softened over the last three years, there was no doubt that Jon Rahm leaving was a huge statement. It is probably fair to say that only signing Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy or Scottie Scheffler would have been bigger for LIV.
Of course, it was always likely that players would follow the Spaniard, with Rahm launching his Legion XIII team. And it turned out that the big name to follow Rahm to LIV and Legion was Ryder Cup teammate Tyrrell Hatton.
Hatton is yet to elevate himself to Rahm’s level, with one PGA Tour victory under his belt. Meanwhile, he is still awaiting his first major title. But it was still another great move for LIV, with Hatton proving to be one of their most impressive performers this season.
What Tyrrell Hatton could now argue about his 2024 season
The 32-year-old finished in the top 10 in seven LIV events, while he won at LIV Golf Nashville. He also finished in the top four in four of the last five events of the season. And it was Hatton who led the Legion team in the team championship with Rahm ruled out through illness.
Rahm obviously had an outstanding year on LIV, winning the individual title and emerging victories at JCB and in Chicago. It would have certainly been the year LIV needed the 29-year-old to have to justify their investment.
But perhaps there is now an argument to be had that it is Hatton who has had the more impressive year, following his victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday.
Two wins apiece
When you look at the tale of the tape, Rahm obviously had the better year on LIV. But Hatton was so often in contention over the weeks, and you could argue that LIV has not yet got the credibility to make a victory in one of their regular season events feel as significant as Hatton’s triumph at St Andrews.
Rahm had some bright moments outside of LIV. He should have won an Olympic gold medal, and played very well on Sunday at Royal Troon to finish inside the top 10. He also missed out on the Spanish Open title in a play-off last week.
But Rahm seemed to struggle with adapting to the two formats, while Hatton did register a top 10 at The Masters.
Rahm remains the biggest name in the Legion XIII team, and he will likely be the one to watch in the eyes of many in 2025.
But perhaps it is Hatton who has actually had the better 2024 so far – which few would have expected when the pair joined LIV Golf ahead of the season.
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