In an unprecedented move, LIV Golf has expanded its roster to include a new team named Legion XIII, spearheaded by golf luminary Jon Rahm. The announcement marks the inception of the first new team since LIV Golf's emergence in 2022, expanding the league's competitive pool to thirteen teams.
Rahm, who triumphed at the 2023 Masters and the 2021 U.S. Open, brings to the venture his impressive standing in the sport, coupled with his success at three DP World Tour Championships. With his leadership, Legion XIII is anticipated to bring a fresh dynamic to the golfing landscape.
Collaborating with Rahm is Tyrrell Hatton, acclaimed for his six victories on the European tour, bringing a wealth of experience from his participation in three Ryder Cups. The third notable member to complete Legion XIII's lineup is amateur prodigy Caleb Surratt from the University of Tennessee, who is set to embark on his professional career with the team.
The new team will make its debut at the LIV Golf Mayakoba, the season's opening tournament hosted in the picturesque landscape of Mexico. With a motto that resonates with unity and conquest — "Together we play. Together we conquer." — Legion XIII encompasses values of pride, determination, and loyalty, aiming to reinforce LIV Golf's ambition of enhancing the league with both recognized talent and emerging stars.
Rising Star: Caleb Surratt's Leap to Professionalism
Caleb Surratt, a stand-out player during his tenure at the University of Tennessee, now embarks on his highly-anticipated professional journey with Legion XIII. His collegiate career, marked by record-setting performances, paves the way for his ascent in professional golf. His inclusion in the team signifies LIV Golf's commitment to nurturing future generations of golfers and providing them opportunities to shine on a global platform.
Kieran Vincent: From Collegiate to Professional
Kieran Vincent, another young talent who has earned his stripes through LIV Golf Promotions, joins Legion XIII after a notable collegiate career playing golf at Liberty University. Vincent, having turned pro in 2022, stands as a testament to LIV Golf's diversity and inclusivity, representing an avenue for budding professionals to catapult themselves into the professional realm.
Strength in Diversity: Legion XIII's Cohesive Force
The composition of Legion XIII, rich with diverse backgrounds and experiences, underlines the team's cohesive force, bound by the collective ethos of pride, determination, and loyalty. This grouping of talent aims not only to contend at the highest tiers of LIV Golf but also to push the boundaries of competitive golfing. As they arrive at Playa del Carmen, Mexico, to initiate the 2024 golf season, Legion XIII is set to leave an indelible mark on the league and its followers.
"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," expresses Tyrrell Hatton, whose anticipation encapsulates the team’s high spirit heading into the new season.
Resonating with Hatton’s sentiments, Greg Norman, a prominent figure in golf, envisions Rahm's caliber and the inception of Legion XIII as central to making an immediate and significant impact in LIV Golf, both through sporting excellence and enriching the golfing community. Norman's backing is reflective of the credibility and promise that Rahm and his team are primed to deliver.
The unveiling of Legion XIII is indicative of LIV Golf's unwavering dedication to not only swell the league's ranks but also to fortify the sporting narrative with dynamic competition and captivating storylines. As the golfing world turns its eyes to Mexico for the commencement of the LIV Golf Mayakoba tournament, Legion XIII emerges not merely as participants but as a force poised for conquest, embodying the ideals that form the cornerstone of their foundation.
As LIV Golf continues to propel forward in its evolution, the joining of established veterans with rising talents through the inclusion of teams like Legion XIII reaffirms the league’s pursuit of transforming the competitive landscape of golf. The synergy of expertise, ambition, and youthful zest positions Legion XIII as formidable contenders, eager to make their mark and contribute to a year of thrilling golf ahead.