Incheon: Former world No. 1 and two-time major champion Jon Rahm is set to compete in South Korea, aiming to secure his first win of the 2025 LIV Golf season. The tournament marks LIV Golf's inaugural appearance in the country, with the 54-hole event kicking off at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Rahm has consistently finished within the top 10 in six tournaments this season but has yet to clinch a victory. Speaking at the pretournament press conference, Rahm expressed his eagerness to end his winless streak in South Korea, saying, "I want to win. I hope my first win of the season comes this week as well." The tournament is set on a par-72, 7,376-yard course, and Rahm, captain of Legion XIII, is hopeful for favorable weather conditions to ensure a successful event.
Rahm, who was a runner-up in Riyadh and secured fourth place in Mexico, emphasized the importance of winning over consistent top-10 finishes. "I would gladly give up some of those top 10s for more wins," he stated, acknowledging that minor mistakes have hindered his chances of clinching victories. He added, "If I can just clean that up, I know I'm playing well enough to win."
Rahm's determination is fueled by the success of fellow competitor Joaquin Niemann, who has won three of the six tournaments this year, including the recent event in Mexico. Niemann, captain of Torque Golf Club, attributed his success to trust and faith in his preparation, saying, "I felt like there's been a lot of trust and a lot of faith in the work that I've been putting in."
Sergio Garcia, 2017 Masters champion and captain of Fireballs GC, also expressed enthusiasm about returning to South Korea, having previously won the Korea Open in 2002. Despite a challenging performance in Mexico, finishing in 50th place, Garcia is optimistic about regaining form. "The season has been great so far," he remarked, highlighting the strong performance of his team.
The LIV Golf tour, featuring 13 teams of four players each, spans 13 tournaments from February to August. Saudi Arabia-backed, the tour maintains both individual and team standings, with Niemann, Rahm, and Garcia currently leading the individual rankings. Legion XIII tops the team competition, closely followed by Fireballs GC.