Rahm arrived at Augusta National as a pre-tournament favorite but opened with a 78, matching the worst major round of his career to that point. He recovered to finish tied for 38th with rounds of 70, 73 and 68, a result that he said helped set the stage for the turnaround in Mexico City.
A week later in Mexico City, Rahm dominated at 21-under, six shots clear of the field. He opened the final round with a blistering start, playing the first four holes in five under par to pull away, securing his second LIV title of 2026 and fourth since joining the circuit.
The breakthrough was rooted in a Saturday range session at Augusta, when Rahm and Hayes nearly heatedly debated a swing concept—an issue Rahm initially failed to grasp. Once the message clicked, Rahm said his swing improved markedly, and he felt the gains carried into Sunday’s round and beyond.
Hayes has been on Rahm’s bag since 2016 and remains the only caddie Rahm has used professionally. Their partnership has yielded major titles, including the 2021 U.S. Open and the 2023 Masters, a bond Rahm publicly acknowledged after his Masters victory.
The Mexico City win strengthens Rahm’s position in LIV Golf’s individual standings and moves him back into the top 20 of the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in more than two years. The episode also underscores how direct, honest communication can translate into high-level performance under pressure.
