The team dynamics at LIV are not the same as those at the Ryder Cup, Jon Rahm learned quickly.
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Jon Rahm and Tyrell Hatton have a few things in common.
Neither man is what you'd call on-course stoic, both playing with their hearts on their sleeves.
They also sport the same logo on their hats. After all, they are Legion XIII team players in LIV Golf.
On Friday, in England, the relationship between Rahm and Hatton took a new dimension when the two were paired in the opening round of LIV Golf UK, at the JCB Golf and Country Club. Not that the two had never played together. At last year's Ryder Cup in Rome, they played foursomes twice, winning one match and splitting the other.
But Friday was a new experience for Rahm, as it was the first time he played on the same team as his LIV teammate since joining the circuit in early 2024.
After the round, Rahm acknowledged the unusual flexibility of the format that rewards individual and team results.
“It's a weird situation because, as good friends as you are, you want to do good, but you also want to beat each other,” Rahm said. “I would say that one of us made a bird, and we started looking at each other like, seriously? Don't go too far or do too many of those, but obviously we want to see other types of birds.”
Those conflicting interests led to a memorable exchange on the 6th hole, where Rahm popped a deft chip under the green as Hatton watched.
“As I was down left, I hit a good shot, and he just stopped and looked at me like this,” Rahm said, flashing the heck-you-are-doing expression. “I didn't know what to make of that reaction, so I was just confused down there on the left.”
For Hatton, it was all part of the fun.
“I enjoyed it,” he said sadly. “But obviously it scared him.”
During play, both men played serious golf on Friday, as Rahm posted a 63 – his lowest round at the LIV – and Hatton carded a 66. Their combined effort helped push the Legion to the top of the team championship.
In each category, Rahm entered Saturday's second round with a two-goal lead over Andy Ogletree and Abraham Ancer. Not bad for a guy who failed to birdie any of the par-5s on Friday.
“It's fun. I don't mean to laugh,” Rahm said. “Lately I feel like I'm not doing anything wrong. I'm not making bad changes. I don't feel like I'm making bad decisions. But I just have a little streak of bad luck on the par-5s. I haven't hit one of them in the Open. None of them today.”
Every round brings something new.
“This is golf, it happens,” Rahm said. “There are times when you go and enjoy a lot of competitions and it just seems like everything is going your way. So, hopefully today is the beginning of something like that. “
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