Not only did Spaniard Jon Rahm win the LIV Golf Individual Championship in Chicago on Sunday, but he also took home an $18 million bonus and a commemorative ring that rivals the style and ingenuity of those awarded by the NFL, MLB and NBA.
Shimmering with 5.78 carats in white diamonds, 1 carat of black diamonds and 1.2 carats of natural emeralds, the ring has a top that spins off to reveal a ball marker embossed with a QR code.
The QR code permalinks to a video clip of the winner's moment of victory, so he can relive the glory over and over again. What's more, the LIV logo on the top comes to life with green glow-in-the dark UV enamel detailing. Overall, the weight of the karat gold is 84.8 grams (3 ounces).
During a press conference on Wednesday, Rahm and Joaquin Niemann — the only two tour members who had enough points in the standings to have a chance to win the individual championship after Sunday's tournament — were told about the Ben Baller-designed ring for the first time.
“I’m trying to picture what it looks like right now," said Rahm, "and I can’t get that in my mind. It’s a lot. It’s definitely a lot. But, honestly, who cares what it is as long as you’re the one that has it. That’s, I think, what most of us will be thinking.”
Runner-up Niemann joked on Wednesday that if he won the ring, his wife probably wouldn't be that happy, knowing that his ring had more diamonds than hers.
“I feel it’s pretty special,” said the Chilean. “It’s a little different than other trophies, so it would be pretty cool to have an extra ring.”
On one side of the ring, "LIV Golf 2024" is rendered in gold and diamonds against a textured background resembling the dimples on a golf ball.
The opposite side spells out "Individual Champion" in diamond-embellished raised lettering.
The LIV Golf League logo on the hidden ball marker is rendered in alternating rows of gold and diamonds, all against a ground of round black diamonds.
Rahm had entered the Chicago tournament at the Bolingbrook Golf Club with a season score nearly three points ahead of Niemann, 195.17 points to 192.20. Rahm's three-stroke lead heading into the third round of the Chicago tournament held up, as he sealed the deal on Sunday with a tournament-leading 11 under par, compared to Niemann's 8 under.
The LIV Golf teams will be vying for the team championship rings next weekend at Maridoe Golf Club in Carrollton, TX. Individual champion Rahm is the captain of Legion XIII. Runner-up Niemann is the captain of Torque GC.
Credits: Images via Facebook.com / LIV Golf.
