Jon Rahm knows what it feels like to leave Valderrama without the trophy. Two years running now, he has been close, and two years running, it has not been enough.

The 31-year-old golfer finished second at LIV Golf Andalucia on Sunday at Real Club Valderrama in Spain, two shots behind Legion XIII teammate Tyrrell Hatton. And his frustration was seen in the post-round interview that the LIV Golf account posted on X.

"As far as second places go, finishing second in Spain stings just a little bit more," Rahm said. "It's two years in a row where I'm going on this stretch with a chance and come up a little bit short. So it hurts a little bit more."

The pain runs deeper than a leaderboard position. Rahm's parents attend the tournament each year, and the reminder of what is still missing hits him every morning.

"Every morning my parents go to the members cafeteria, and I've met them for a little bit, and I get reminded, they have pictures of the champions and like, we want your picture up next," Rahm said. "To know that I have a chance and now I'm going to have to wait a little bit longer, it hurts."

Rahm has built a strong connection with Valderrama over the years. At first, he had mixed feelings about the course because he was frustrated that he could not use his driver on every hole. But as he learned how to play the course better, he grew to appreciate and enjoy it more.

He also put into words what winning at Valderrama represents. "When you win here, you truly are by far the best player in every single aspect of your game," Rahm said.

But Hatton's win at least gave Rahm something to smile about.

Jon Rahm praises Hatton amid his own LIV future uncertainty

Hatton had just become a father, and Rahm made sure to address that.

"To watch Tyrrell win after just becoming a dad, I couldn't be happier for him," Rahm said. "If I'm going to finish second to somebody like him, it really doesn't bother me at all."

Legion XIII also defended its team title at Valderrama. Rahm credited the course setup for suiting his squad. "Ball striking is all our strengths," he said. "Give us a tree-lined golf course with some wind, we're going to defend ourselves pretty well."

However, the result comes at a time when LIV Golf is facing bigger questions. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund announced that it would stop funding LIV Golf after the 2026 season.

There are four events left on the 2026 LIV Golf schedule. The next tournament will be played at JCB Golf and Country Club in the U.K. in July, after the New Orleans event in June was canceled.

Do you think Jon Rahm will win at Valderrama next year? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason