Get ready for a Sunday showdown that promises to be nothing short of epic! For the first time since LIV Golf Las Vegas in 2024, two of the league’s biggest stars, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, will face off in the final pairing, setting the stage for one of the most thrilling conclusions in LIV Golf history. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: they’ll be joined by Anthony Kim, the newest member of 4Aces GC, who’s just five shots back and hungry for his first top-10 finish in the league.
Round 3 at LIV Golf Adelaide delivered drama, surprises, and a few controversial moments, as Rahm and DeChambeau finished tied for the lead, both sitting pretty at the top of the leaderboard. Rahm, ever the competitor, shared his thoughts: ‘I think we’ll both be looking forward to it, and I hope it’s a banger. May the best player win.’ But is this friendly rivalry masking a deeper competitive edge? And this is the part most people miss: while all eyes are on the individual leaders, Legion XIII quietly stormed the team leaderboard, seizing a five-shot lead over the hometown favorites, Ripper GC. Could this be the upset no one saw coming?
Anthony Kim’s performance deserves a spotlight of its own. With a solid 4-under 68, he’s positioned himself as a dark horse in the final group. But let’s not forget the trio tied for fourth at 13-under: Cameron Smith, Peter Uihlein, and Lucas Herbert. Smith, in particular, put on a masterclass in short game, proving that sometimes it’s not just about the long drives. ‘Felt really good,’ he said. ‘Short game was on fire today.’ But is his reliance on scrambling a sustainable strategy for the final round?
Meanwhile, Ben Campbell’s fall from grace raises questions. After sharing the lead through two rounds, he stumbled to an even-par 72, now seven shots back. What happened to the player who seemed unstoppable just a day ago? And on the team front, Legion XIII’s surge was fueled by Tyrrell Hatton’s 6-under 66, Caleb Surratt’s 8-under 64, and Tom McKibbin’s steady 3-under 69. Ripper GC, meanwhile, leaned heavily on Smith and Herbert to stay in contention. But with such a commanding lead, is Legion XIII already celebrating too soon?
Here’s a fun fact: the par-4 eighth hole, which was Round 2’s toughest challenge, became the second-easiest in Round 3 after tees were moved up. The easiest hole? The par-5 10th, playing at –0.60. But don’t let these numbers fool you—the course still demanded precision, with holes like the 2nd, 5th, 16th, and 17th playing slightly over par.
As we head into Sunday, the big question remains: Who will emerge victorious? Will Rahm or DeChambeau claim the individual title, or will Anthony Kim pull off the upset? And in the team competition, can Ripper GC close the gap on Legion XIII, or is the trophy already out of reach? One thing’s for sure: this final round is not just about golf—it’s about pride, strategy, and the unpredictable nature of the sport. What’s your take? Who do you think will take home the glory, and are there any players or teams you think are being underestimated? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!