Jon Rahm’s LIV Golf team has finally been revealed.
Legion XIII is the Saudi-funded league’s brand-new side led by the Masters champion and three new players.
His Ryder Cup partner Tyrrell Hatton, Tennessee University sophomore Caleb Surratt and LIV Golf Promotions graduate Kieran Vincent will be his teammates.
The Telegraph reported confirmation of Hatton’s switch to join his fellow European following an alleged second offer from LIV of £50 million.
The Englishman confirmed talks had taken place with LIV at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and Greg Norman’s breakaway league has now announced another significant boost to its roster.
“I’m really excited for this next chapter, to link up with Jon Rahm and Legion XIII, and to get started this week in Mexico,” Hatton said.
The acquisition of Surratt constitutes another dive into the pool of up-and-coming amateurs, much like when Eugenio Chacarra and David Puig turned professional and joined LIV’s ranks.
Surratt was a member of the US Walker Cup team in 2023 and he is currently ranked 10th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. He has now turned professional to join Legion XIII.
Vincent will join brother Scott Vincent in the rebel league after securing a card at LIV’s Q-school event in Abu Dhabi in December alongside Jinichero Kozuma and Kalle Samooja.
“We’ve come a long way in a short period of time and are extremely proud of the team and brand we are building,” Rahm said.
“As we were developing the team’s brand it became clear that I wanted to fight alongside a group of guys who aligned perfectly with what the team stands for. Tyrrell is a fierce competitor, proven champion, and of course my Ryder Cup teammate.
“Caleb is one of the brightest next-gen stars of the game. And Kieran is a steady, talented ball striker who earned his promotion to LIV and is elevating his game every day.”
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“I wanted to go down the warrior spirit mythology side for the team’s name,” he added. “The term loyalty is very important for me – I think it embodies the warrior spirit through its decisiveness and ready-for-battle mindset.
“During the Roman Empire, there was the iconic Legion XIII Gemina in Caesar’s army. They believed in the credo of faithful loyalty.”
What is the LIV Golf format in 2024?
There will be 13 teams of four players at each event in what will be LIV Golf’s second full season.
A new, promotional video has confirmed the existence of Legion XIII which will be captained by Rahm, increasing the team total from 12 last year.
It is also expected that fields will increase from 48 to 54 players, meaning two wildcard spots will be given to two players at each event.
$20 million will be up for grabs to fund the individual purse, while $5 million will be distributed across the top three teams on the team leaderboard.
The winner at Mayakoba and each subsequent event will bank $4 million and $3 million will be given to the winning team.
The LIV website shows 12 events pencilled in for 2024, but this count doesn’t include the season-ending Individual Championship and Team Championship which don’t yet have dates or venues.
As we’ve become accustomed to, each event will be played over 54 holes using the unique shot-gun start format.
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(Image credit: LIV Golf Media)
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