After his career-best 61, Surratt in position to celebrate on Rahm’s LIV Golf anniversary

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – A year ago on Dec. 7, Jon Rahm officially joined LIV Golf. That meant Caleb Surratt’s life was about to change. Dramatically.

Only he didn’t know it yet.

“Dec. 7 last year, I was taking final exams in college, truly, with no idea that I was going to end up on LIV,” said the former University of Tennessee star. “I didn’t have any communication with Jon or his team until January.”

Things moved fast after that. The then-19-year-old Surratt joined Rahm’s expansion team, Legion XIII, and immediately began his professional career at the 2024 season opener at Mayakoba in early February. With Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton leading the way, Legion XIII won the team title in their debut in Mexico, and added three more tournament wins during the regular season.

Rahm also won two individual trophies while becoming the 2024 Individual Champion, with Hatton winning once and finishing fourth in the season-long standings. Meanwhile, Surratt soaked up all he could from two of Europe’s best players. He learned the importance of creating a blueprint for himself – what to eat, how to train and practice, being consistent with his drills.

In other words, how to be a pro.

“Once you’ve built that blueprint of who you are and what makes you a golfer, you stick to that,” Surratt said.

This Saturday is Dec. 7, and it could be another memorable day in Surratt’s young career.

Thanks to his career-best (and Riyadh Golf Club course record) 10-under 61 in the third round of the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, Surratt enters the final round tied for second, just one shot off the lead held by fellow LIV Golf competitor Joaquin Niemann, the captain of Torque GC.

A victory would be the first of his professional career. While he showed flashes during the LIV Golf season, especially early in the season, he rarely was in contention; his best finish was a tie for 12th in Las Vegas, and he finished the year 41st in points.

His two starts in the International Series have been more productive – a tie for third in Morocco and a tie for second in England during the summer. When he saw the Riyadh Golf Club course earlier this week, he immediately felt comfortable, as it reminded him of the desert courses he’s competed on in Arizona.

“I’ve been playing very solid all year,” Surratt said after his bogey-free round that included eight birdies and an eagle. “Being around guys like Jon and Tyrrell teaches you how to go out there and play your best more often times than not.

“The thing with me that I’ve struggled with is getting ahead of myself. I’ve wanted to win so bad for so long now, I’ve put myself in similar positions and tried to force and just get ahead of myself.

“I’m starting to learn that it’s literally just like going out with your buddies and playing golf. When I’m playing my best, that’s what I’m telling myself.”

Of course, his buddies now, at least at LIV Golf events, include two of the world’s top players. Surratt forever remains grateful that Rahm took a chance on the youngster instead of opting for a more proven commodity.

“He’s really been on my side,” Surratt said. “Couldn’t be more thankful to him. ‘Im almost in tears thinking about it, how much he’s helped me out. As much as I tell myself and he tells me I earned my spot on the team through my play in amateur and college golf, it definitely feels like he’s been one to put me on his shoulders a little bit.”

Life off the course has gone just as fast for Surratt. On Nov. 22, he married his longtime girlfriend Kayla in Tennessee. There was no time for a honeymoon since Surratt was set to play this week.

Even though Kayla is not with her husband in Riyadh, she’s never far from his mind.

“Honestly, it’s taken a lot of stress off and allowed me to be as free as possible,” he said. “I know no matter how I play, she’s going to be there for me when I get back."

At dinner Thursday night with a few other players, Surratt was wearing his wedding ring. He wondered out loud whether he could use his ring as a ball marker. The response from the table was a collective “no.”

“I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t,” Surratt said. “You would never lose it. I’d take it off my ring finger on the tee, put it on the green every hole, and put it back on my hand after the round.”

But after self-reflection, Surratt came to one conclusion.

“I’m bound to lose it,” he said. “I lose everything.”

He’s hoping not to lose either the ring or the tournament on Saturday. After all, Dec. 7 has treated him well thus far. And just like a year ago, he faces another test, only this time over 18 holes.

(Photos courtesy of Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour)