Relief for Rahm in Hong Kong; Maguire 18th in China

Jon Rahm conveyed immense relief upon clinching a three-shot victory at LIV Golf Hong Kong, thereby ending an 18-month period without an individual win. The two-time Major champion and esteemed European Ryder Cup player posted a final round of 64, six-under-par, to finish at an impressive 23-under-par at the Hong Kong Golf Club, triumphing over Belgium's Thomas Detry.

"It feels incredibly relieving," Rahm stated, reflecting on his first individual win since LIV Golf Chicago. "While I've been ecstatic about previous victories, this one truly feels like a significant burden has been lifted from my shoulders."

The 31-year-old Spaniard has recently been under scrutiny due to his refusal to agree to terms with the DP World Tour regarding unpaid fines incurred for participating in LIV Golf tournaments without official release. This decision, which differs from eight of his LIV Golf colleagues who accepted a resolution, has cast a shadow of uncertainty over his future involvement in the Ryder Cup until his appeal is reviewed by an independent body.

After competing in 26 global events without a win, Rahm highlighted that his triumph in Hong Kong now ranks among the most memorable moments of his career. He drew parallels between the feeling of relief and his maiden victory at Torrey Pines, potentially his first Spanish Open win, and certainly his initial Major – the US Open in 2021, where the hour-long wait for Louis Oosthuizen to finish was, in his words, "arguably the most stressful hour of my life golf-wise, not off the course."

He added, "There are several milestones in my life for which I am deeply grateful, and a few of them brought a profound sense of relief, though perhaps not immediately as I was often just ecstatic. However, in terms of sheer relief, this win might just take precedence."

Regarding his recent initiative to arrange a charter flight to rescue seven fellow golfers from the Middle East last week, amidst grounded flights due to conflict, Rahm dismissed the notion that his victory was a result of good karma. "It was never about karma," said Rahm, who secured $4 million in prize money. "It was simply about fortunately getting those guys out of a perilous situation." He credited his general manager and agent, Jeff Koski, alongside VistaJet, for their exceptional efforts in coordinating the flight and crew to Oman. "All I did was perhaps have the vision to push them to do it, but they carried out all the hard work," he concluded.

In other golf news, Graeme McDowell recorded a 66 to finish tied for eighth place at 14-under, while Tom McKibbin slipped to 24th after a closing round of 71. Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces secured the team title by a six-shot margin over McDowell’s Smash GC, now captained by Talor Gooch following Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA TOUR.

Meanwhile, in China, South Korea's Mi Hyang Lee claimed her third LPGA title, winning the LPGA Bay by a single shot over China’s Weiwei Zhang, despite concluding with a one-over 73 to finish at 11-under. Leona Maguire, who began working with Tiger Woods' former coach Sean Foley during the off-season, finished tied for 18th at one-under after a round of 76. LPGA rookie Lauren Walsh concluded her performance in 75th position at 16-over, also after a round of 76.

At the Ladies European Tour’s Australian Women's Classic in Sydney, Australia’s Kelsey Bennett triumphed with a score of 71, securing a four-shot victory over England’s Meghan MacLaren and Caley McGinty, finishing at 13-under. Ireland's Aine Donegan from Lahinch placed tied for 32nd at three-over after a 76 at Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club.