Jon Rahm made the big money move to LIV Golf at the end of 2023 and became a team captain for the 2024 LIV Golf League.
Rahm got a brand new franchise, taking the number of LIV Golf teams to 13, with the Masters champion and former World No.1 getting to pick his name, logo and players ahead of his debut season in the 54-hole League.
He eventually opted for Legion XIII, which has plenty of meaning behind it, as he explained when the side was launched in January.
“I wanted to go down the warrior spirit mythology side for the team's name," he said.
"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.
“The XIII portion of the name was appealing early in the process as it fit the structure of captain (X) and the three players in the lineup (III). As for the logo, that was something I was also very passionate about. The soccer team I grew up following [Athletic Bilbao] is called the Lions. It’s just a fierce animal that everybody respects and fears at the same time.”
The team was billed as LIV's first expansion side, with Rahm taking his close friend and Ryder Cup teammate Tyrrell Hatton. The Englishman, who is a six-time DP World Tour winner and one-time PGA Tour victor, joined LIV ahead of the third season for a fee reported to be over $60m.
Rahm also signed US college star Caleb Surratt, who turned professional to join up with Legion XIII. The final spot on the side was filled by LIV Golf Promotions graduate Kieran Vincent, brother of LIV golfer Scott, with the Zimbabwean a one-time Asian Tour winner.
So, how would the new team get on? Very well indeed, is the short answer. Legion XIII picked up four wins in the 13 events of the regular season to finish second in the Team Standings behind defending champions, Bryson DeChambeau's Crushers GC.
As for the individuals, Rahm won the Individual Championship, with Hatton in fourth, Surratt in 41st with the Vincent the biggest struggler, as he finished 54th and in the Drop Zone.
Legion XIII's finish in the Team Standings was enough to hand it a bye into the semi-finals of the Team Championship. However, it was dealt a significant blow by the late withdrawal of Rahm from the event due to "severe flu symptoms."
That left reserve John Catlin to step in at the last minute, but the team was apparently unfazed by the setback of needing to manage without its captain as it beat Phil Mickelson's Hy Flyers GC in the semi-finals to give leave an outstanding opportunity to take the trophy and $14m in prize money in its very first LIV Golf season.
