GOLF: Jon Rahm again dominates back 9 to remain LIV Mexico City leader

Jon Rahm dominated the back nine once again on Saturday to remain atop the leaderboard at 14 under through three rounds of LIV Golf Mexico City in Naucalpan, Mexico.

Rahm overcame a double-bogey on the par-4 fifth hole and a 1-over showing on the front nine by shooting 5 under on the back nine to post his second consecutive 4-under-par 67. Through three rounds this week, the Spaniard has shot 11 under on the back nine at Club de Golf Chapultepec.

He's two strokes clear of Legion XIII teammate Tyrrell Hatton (66) of England at 12 under, who had a bogey-free Saturday round which included an eagle on the par-5 seventh hole. Another Legion XIII player, Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin (69), is tied for third at 11 under with Brendan Grace (65) of South Africa.

Three members of the same team haven't finished in the top three spots in a LIV event since the inaugural LIV event at London in 2022.

"It's a real honor. Honestly. It's great to see them playing well, too," Rahm said of his team's performance. " ... I'm not surprised at all. I'm happy to see them up there. And let's see if it's not me, but one of the three of us who wins tomorrow."

Rahm, who has won the LIV individual championship each of the last two seasons, is seeking his second win of the season and sixth top-five finish in as many 2026 LIV events.

Grace, who was even par in the first round, has surged toward the top of the leaderboard after an up-and-down third round. He got to 4 under through his first five holes after an eagle at No. 7 before going bogey, birdie, birdie, double bogey on the next four holes.

He finished the back nine with four birdies in five holes before a bogey at the 18th and pars on the first and second holes to finish his rocky but effective round.

"I gave myself chances. I think I made eight birdies and an eagle today and then obviously a couple of mishaps out there," Grace said. "But around a place like this, it's easy to do."

Included in a five-way tie for fifth at 10 under is Spain's David Puig, who scattered eight birdies, an eagle and a bogey Saturday for the second 9-under round of the week. Victor Perez, who shot 9 under on Thursday, has fallen back into a tie for 22nd after posting a combined score of 5 over the last two rounds.

Bryson DeChambeau's pursuit of becoming the first player in LIV Golf history to win three straight individual events appears quite finished after he shot 2 over in the third round to fall into a tie for 41st.

-Field Level Media/Reuters