Jon Rahm claimed to have done something which no golfer in the history of the sport has before after LIV’s first event of the season

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As far as statements go, there have not been many in recent months quite as impressive as Legion XIII’s victory at LIV Golf Riyadh in which Jon Rahm’s side finished the event on 50 under par.

Understandably, Legion XIII were the overwhelming favourites to shine on LIV Golf this year. Jon Rahm is one of the best players in the world and clinched the individual title last year. Meanwhile, it is difficult to say anyone in the game of golf has played better than Tyrrell Hatton over the last few months.

And of course, Legion XIII signed Tom McKibbin in the off-season. McKibbin turned down the chance to take up a PGA Tour card to sign with LIV Golf.

There was no individual title for Legion in Riyadh, but they could hardly have been more dominant in the team format. Legion were backed to shine with a change to the format meaning that all four scores now count across all three days.

Jon Rahm lauded after Legion XIII storm to team victory at LIV Golf Riyadh

But few would have imagined that they would win by 11 shots on 50 under par. And speaking on the Golf Channel Podcast, Rex Hoggard suggested that, while he was not a fan of the event itself, Rahm deserves real credit for putting together such an impressive unit.

“I made it clear my thoughts on golf under the lights. It was an unnecessary gimmick. And after watching a little bit of it, I still feel the same way. You didn’t have to do it. I don’t feel like it was necessary. I did not enjoy it and it didn’t seem to motivate me,” he said.

“The one thing which did motivate me and made me really want to tune in and watch that final round was the idea of what you pointed out. Legion XIII won by 11 strokes. This is the first time in the history of the game, a game which goes back eons, this is the first time this has ever happened – someone has bought a team to be dominant.

“For those of us who love the transaction, I love this, because Jon Rahm has bought a really good team which won by 11 shots. When you look at what they have done, they have won five times in their last 15 starts on LIV. You add McKibbin to that mix and it only made them better. With the new rules that LIV have this year with all four players having to count their scores as opposed to three of the best out of the four, it puts so much pressure on that fourth guy to perform. When you look at what Rahm has done, I can’t gloss over that.

“I am fascinated by this, I am interested in it, because Jon has gone out and did what a really good GM would do. Really good GM’s get Saquon Barkley to come on to the Eagles and be a really good team. Jon Rahm got Tom McKibbin to come on to a really good team and be dominant. If they don’t win more times than not, as a team this year, I would be stunned.”

Why Legion XIII may not be good for LIV Golf this season

Rahm’s success may motivate teams to make more brutal decisions with their teams in the future – and move away from the idea that LIV is a closed shop for some very good players and their friends.

However, in the short-term, Legion going on a dominant run may not do LIV many favours. The team format will be what a lot of viewers tune in for given that it is different to anything seen on the PGA Tour.

But there may only be so many times they can watch Legion XIII run away with the victories before it starts to become almost boring.

Legion are not going to win every team event this year. All it takes is for one of their players to have an off week and the door is open for another team.

But just as many were desperate to see a close game in TGL after three emphatic victories in a row to kick off its inaugural season, it seems that LIV will need some drama to keep fans invested in the team format.