Rahm and DeChambeau set for LIV Adelaide showdown; Anthony Kim's resurrection
Anthony Kim of 4Aces GC hits his shot from the 18th tee during the second round of the LIV Golf Adelaide at Grange Golf Club on Friday, February 13, 2026 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf)
Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau will go head-to-head for victory in the final round of LIV Golf Adelaide with permission from Anthony Kim.
The Major-winning duo are five shots clear of the former US Ryder Cup star, who returned last year after 12 years in the wilderness, heading into the last day at The Grange Golf Club.
“Going to be a good battle tomorrow,” said DeChambeau, who made nine birdies in a joint-best of the day eight-under 64 to Rahm’s 66 to leave them tied on 19-under. “We're going to have some fun.”
They’re five clear of the 4Aces’s Anthony Kim, who shot 68, but Rahm is hoping it’s a two-man battle after making a spectacular eagle two at the last to draw level.
“I hope it’s a banger,” Rahm said. “I hope we both have a good day, and may the best player win.”
Australians Cameron Smith (64) and Lucas Herbert (67) from local hopes Ripper GC are tied for fourth with the RangeGoats GC’s Peter Uihlein (67), six shots behind.
Graeme McDowell shot 67 to move up to 17th in nine under while Tom McKibbin’s 69 left him joint 33rd in the 57-man field on five under.
McKibbin still stands to win and an extra $750,000 on top of any individual earnings as Legion XIII tops the team standings by five strokes from Ripper after Tyrrell Hatton shot a 66 and Caleb Surrat a 64 to go with Rahm’s 66.
While the Spaniard opened with back-to-back bogeys and went to the 18th two strokes behind DeChambeau—even after birdies at the 14th, 15th and 16th—he holed out from 75 yards for a closing eagle two to tie for the lead.
“Obviously executed it pretty well, and the rest is what you all saw,” said Rahm, who hit his tee shot so far left he needed a free drop from behind the grandstand.
“I'm not really expecting to make it. I'm hoping to hit it close, but obviously ended up with the grand prize on that one.”
DeChambeau was not too downcast about losing the lead.
“Eight-under is nothing to be ashamed of,” the two-time US Open champion said. “I played great today. I'm pretty proud of the way I handled myself.
“That was pretty sick, seeing what Jon did on 18. I didn't know you could go that far left and still have a clean lie and angle after that.”
Looking forward to Sunday’s battle, he added: “Hopefully we can give them a good show tomorrow. We’ll see how the cookie crumbles.”
As for Kim, who struggled to get a visa to enter Australia, he was pleased to be in contention.
“It’s been a helluva week,” Kim said, who did not have the proper paperwork when he left last week’s season-opener in Saudi Arabia.
“Obviously, not having a visa to get into this country was a start. I’ve worked hard and I knew this day would come at some point.”
Both Rahm and DeChambeau believe Kim deserves more credit for returning from a 12-year absence from the game to compete for the title.
“What an incredible story,” DeChambeau said. “Going from the lowest of lows, almost moving away from this earth and then coming back and really taking accountability and raising his little girl and being a family man and being one percent better every day.
“It's an inspiring story that I think honestly should have a lot more media attention than it does. It deserves that.
“It shows some of the opportunities that LIV Golf can provide and give hope to people. It's another opportunity to play.
“I think that's what's so brilliant about it is you've got a guy like that that's struggled pretty much his entire career, and this is really when he has become more of himself than any other time, more of a family man, a father, a great person that cares deeply about playing good golf now.
“That's all he cares about, and he loves it. I think that's really inspiring for anybody at any age, that you can pick it up and be a better person.”
Rahm is equally impressed by the former US Ryder Cup star’s comeback story.
“I was able to enjoy a car ride back to the hotel from the golf course in Riyadh … and he shared quite a bit of his story with me,” Rahm said.
“What he's doing is nothing short of remarkable. … I really hope he can find the right person to tell his story, however form, movie, documentary series, book, whatever it is, because what he's doing is so impressive.”
