Legion XIII becomes LIV Golf's first expansion team

Field Level Media|published: Tue 30th January, 13:04 2024

Apr 9, 2023; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Masters champion Jon Rahm holds up the trophy after the final round of The Masters golf tournament. credits: Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK

LIV Golf on Tuesday introduced its first expansion team, Legion XIII, which will be captained by reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm.

The first new team to join the league since its 2022 inception, and the 13th overall, Legion XIII will also include England's Tyrrell Hatton, Kieran Vincent of Zimbabwe and top amateur and reigning SEC individual champion Caleb Surratt out of Tennessee.

Legion XIII will debut at LIV Golf's season-opening event, LIV Golf Mayakoba, starting Friday at El Camaleon Golf Course in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

"We've come a long way in a short period of time and are extremely proud of the team and brand we are building," Rahm said. "As we were developing the team's brand it became clear that I wanted to fight alongside a group of guys who aligned perfectly with what the team stands for.

"Tyrrell is a fierce competitor, proven champion, and of course my Ryder Cup teammate. Caleb is one of the brightest next gen stars of the game. And Kieran is a steady, talented ball striker who earned his promotion to LIV and is elevating his game every day."

In addition to the 2023 Masters title, Rahm, 29, has 20 professional wins including the 2021 U.S. Open and three DP World Tour Championships (2017, 2019, 2022). The Spaniard has helped Europe to two Ryder Cup victories (2018, 2023).

Hatton, 32, also represented Europe in the past three Ryder Cups and is a six-time champion on the DP World Tour.

Surratt, 19, is turning pro to join Legion XIII after a record-setting career at Tennessee, where he became that university's first player to receive first-team All-America honors.

"The opportunity to turn pro and be a part of Jon Rahm's team is truly a special opportunity that is a great fit for me. I'm excited about the chance to compete and begin my professional career here in Mayakoba," Surratt said.

Vincent, 26, turned pro in 2022 after playing golf at Liberty University. He will be part of the only sibling duo in the league — his brother, Scott, plays for Iron Heads GC.

—Field Level Media

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