The LIV Golf season concluded with a thrilling team victory for Cameron Smith's all-Aussie Ripper Golf Club. In the final round of the Team Championship in Dallas yesterday, September 22nd, 2024, Smith and Lucas Herbert delivered clutch putts to secure the win for their team. Ripper GC's triumph capped off an impressive season that included a home victory in Adelaide, a team playoff win in Singapore, and several other podium finishes. The other two team members of Ripper GC are Matt Jones and Marc Leishman. Smith, Leishman and Jones were all part of the same Australian team that competed on the LIV tour last season. Their team name was previously Punch GC.
Cam Smith began playing at two years old, honing his skills over the course of his childhood at Wantima Country Club, a local course in Brisbane where his father worked and was a club captain. After turning professional in 2013, Cam found success on the PGA Tour of Australasia and Asian Tour before earning his PGA Tour card in 2015. Smith rose to prominence with a team win at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in 2017, followed by individual victories at the Sony Open in Hawaii and The Players Championship. He reached the pinnacle of his career in 2022, capturing the prestigious Open Championship and earning PGA Player of the Year honors.
After much speculation, Smith joined the newly formed LIV Golf series in late 2022. He has performed incredibly well on the LIV Tour and this year captained the Rippers to their first team victory. And his hard work is not without its rewards. His team earned $14 million in aggregate for their performance in Dallas alone. Not bad for a long weekend of work.
The individual championship was a slightly different story, but the LIV prize money is still impressive.
Spaniard Jon Rahm secured the 2024 LIV Golf individual title for the season by winning in Chicago last week. The 29-year-old secured the $18 million prize by carding a final-round 66, finishing three strokes ahead of his compatriots Sergio Garcia and Joaquin Niemann. Rahm's impressive performance throughout the season, including two wins and 12 top-10 finishes, earned him $16.7 million in individual earnings. This Basque Country golfer has achieved significant success in his career. He previously held the top spot in the World Amateur Golf Ranking for a record 60 weeks before transitioning to the professional PGA ranks. Rahm claimed multiple major championships, including the U.S. Open and the Masters Tournament, and reached an Official World Golf Ranking of number 1 before joining LIV Golf in 2023. Rahm's prowess has continued to garner recognition, earning him the title of the world's second-highest-paid athlete in 2024 according to Forbes. He earned a staggering $34.7 million for playing golf on the LIV tour this season.
Jon Rahm's LIV team were also strong contenders for the overall title but couldn't pull it off in Dallas. Unfortunately, Rahm was unable to participate in the championship this weekend due to illness. His team, Legion XIII, finished in fourth place, five strokes behind the winning team. Despite Rahm's absence, Legion XIII's performance throughout the season showcased their competitive spirit and potential. Dustin Johnson's 4Aces GC team also had a strong showing, finishing in second place. The team's consistent play throughout the season solidified their position as one of the top contenders for the team title.
The LIV tour's first three seasons were marked by exciting competition, impressive performances, and very large paychecks (see money lists here). As the league continues to grow and evolve, fans can look forward to even more thrilling matches and unforgettable moments in the years to come. We will see who can challenge Cam Smith and his Aussie mates when it all picks back up in February next year.
