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Rahm wins LIV Golf season points title, then falls in playoff to Munoz in Indianapolis

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Rahm wins LIV Golf season points title, then falls in playoff to Munoz in Indianapolis
Sport

Sport

Rahm wins LIV Golf season points title, then falls in playoff to Munoz in Indianapolis

2025-08-18 08:29 Last Updated At:08:30

WESTFIELD, Ind. (AP) — Jon Rahm successfully defended his LIV Golf season points title Sunday without winning an event all year, closing with an 11-under 60 before losing a playoff to Sebastian Munoz on the first extra hole in the Indianapolis event.

Munoz won two days after becoming the first player to shoot 59 with a double bogey. The Colombian player —with Rahm hitting balls on driving range — birdied the final two holes in regulation for a 65 to match Rahm at 22 under at The Club at Chatham Hills.

Rahm also lost on the first extra hole last week outside Chicago, falling to Dean Burmester in a three-way playoff that included Josele Ballester. On Sunday, Munoz beat the Spanish star won the playoff with a 6-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th.

“It’s a great moment, but it just doesn’t feel great to finish the year losing two playoffs,” Rahm said. “I’m sure over time I’ll get over that, and I’ll really appreciate what I’ve done this year. To be able to win the season without actually winning a tournament, I know I’ll be proud of that.”

Rahm took the season points title from Joaquin Niemann, a five-time winner this season. Niemann shot a 66 to tie for fourth at 17 under, his first top-10 finish of the year that he didn't win.

“It’s kind of hard to swallow,” Niemann said. “But at the end of the day, I think it is what it is. I feel like it’s going to put something inside me to kind of work harder and try to be in this situation again next year and make it different.”

Munoz and Niemann led Torque GC to the team event championship with a record 64-under total. The team broke the LIV mark of 53 under.

“I got a little lucky that he didn’t hit as close to me, and I finished it quick,” Munoz said. “First time I’ve ever beaten him, so really proud of that and happy that I got to go home with the trophy.”

Ian Poulter birdied four of his last five holes for a 67 to tie for 17th and avoid relegation from the tour. Majesticks teammate Henrik Stenson was relegated, missing a 20-foot birdie putt on the final hole that would have keep him on the tour and left Poulter out.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Captain Dustin Johnson, of 4Aces GC, hits from the ninth tee during the final round of LIV Golf Indianapolis at The Club at Chatham Hills, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, in Westfield, Ind. (Scott Taetsch/LIV Golf via AP)

Captain Dustin Johnson, of 4Aces GC, hits from the ninth tee during the final round of LIV Golf Indianapolis at The Club at Chatham Hills, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, in Westfield, Ind. (Scott Taetsch/LIV Golf via AP)

FILE - Sebastián Muñoz of Torque GC is seen on the putting green before the final round of LIV Golf Korea at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club on Sunday, May 4, 2025 in Incheon, South Korea. (Pedro Salado/LIV Golf via AP, File)

FILE - Sebastián Muñoz of Torque GC is seen on the putting green before the final round of LIV Golf Korea at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club on Sunday, May 4, 2025 in Incheon, South Korea. (Pedro Salado/LIV Golf via AP, File)

Sebastián Muñoz, of Torque GC, hits from the sixth fairway during the final round of LIV Golf Indianapolis at The Club at Chatham Hills, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, in Westfield, Ind. (Scott Taetsch/LIV Golf via AP)

Sebastián Muñoz, of Torque GC, hits from the sixth fairway during the final round of LIV Golf Indianapolis at The Club at Chatham Hills, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, in Westfield, Ind. (Scott Taetsch/LIV Golf via AP)

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama returned from a first-quarter injury scare to score 22 points and grab 10 rebounds and lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 119-101 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.

Stephon Castle added 19 points and 10 assists and Julian Champagnie had 13 points and 11 rebounds for San Antonio. The Spurs led by 39 points early in the fourth quarter.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 21 points as Milwaukee suffered its third straight loss.

It was the Bucks' second straight lopsided loss after being booed at home during a 139-106 setback to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.

Wembanyama startled the sellout crowd at the Frost Bank Center and it had nothing to do with his freshly shaved scalp.

He returned to the court after making knee-to-knee contact with Antetokounmpo's left leg under the Bucks basket with 9:18 remaining in the first quarter. Wembanyama dropped to the court in pain before rising and hobbling unassisted in a half sprint toward the locker room.

The 7-foot-4 center from France suffered a hyperextended knee on Dec. 31 in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks in a similar play. He returned to watch from the bench on New Year's Eve but missed the next two games.

Wembanyama returned to the bench at the close of the first quarter Thursday, but this time he went back on the court to start the second quarter.

Wembanyama had 11 points, six rebounds and a blocked shot while playing 12 minutes, 27 seconds in the second quarter.

San Antonio outscored Milwaukee 35-26 during the second quarter in taking a 66-53 lead at the half. The lead expanded to 37 points in the third quarter as both teams sat their starters to open the fourth.

Kyle Kuzma had 18 points and Bobby Portis added 13 points for the Bucks.

Bucks: At Atlanta on Monday night.

Spurs: Host Minnesota on Saturday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) scores past San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) and forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) scores past San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) and forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) and guard Ryan Rollins, second from right, battle San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet, left, and guard De'aaron Fox, right, for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) and guard Ryan Rollins, second from right, battle San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet, left, and guard De'aaron Fox, right, for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is blocked as he drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is blocked as he drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) scores over Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) scores over Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, left, drives against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, left, drives against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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