By: Kevin Cunningham December 8, 2024 LIV Golf’s Joaquin Niemann captured at the recent 2024 Australian Open. William WEST / AFP / Getty Images After narrowly missing out on the 2024 LIV season-long title to Jon Rahm, Joaquin Niemann has come back strong, clinching a significant victory that brings with it a wealth of essential […]
LIV Golf’s Joaquin Niemann captured at the recent 2024 Australian Open.
William WEST / AFP / Getty Images
After narrowly missing out on the 2024 LIV season-long title to Jon Rahm, Joaquin Niemann has come back strong, clinching a significant victory that brings with it a wealth of essential world-ranking points.
The 26-year-old Chilean LIV athlete fend off an impressive nine-under run by fellow LIV competitor Cameron Smith during the 2024 PIF Saudi International on Sunday, ultimately surviving both Smith and Caleb Surrat — also a LIV Golf player — in a playoff.
Although many LIV pros dominated the leaderboard, the Saudi International is not an official LIV tournament. Rather, it is an Asian Tour event backed by the Saudi PIF — the financial supporters of LIV Golf. This tournament is part of the International Series, a collection of ten tournaments established to give LIV players an opportunity to earn world ranking points while also providing new players a chance to qualify for LIV.
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LIV tournaments do not provide world ranking points, which has resulted in a drop in their players’ standings and jeopardizing their qualifications for major golf championships. However, the International Series is recognized by the Asian Tour and does grant world ranking points to its participants.
Niemann, who boasts two PGA Tour victories, previously ranked as high as 15th in the Official World Golf Ranking in 2022, but his position fell significantly after he joined LIV in August of that same year.
By December 2023, he had plummeted to 87th, far from qualifying for majors, then clinched the 2023 Australian Open, propelling him to 59th.
However, just a month ago, Niemann’s ranking had slumped to 138th, before strong finishes at the DP World Tour Championship and 2024 Australian Open elevated him to 124th leading into the Saudi International.
With his latest victory, Niemann is projected to make a substantial jump in the rankings, likely climbing into the top 75, according to the Associated Press.
Niemann’s triumph also garnered him $1 million and the title of season-long champion in the International Series. He had led the LIV Golf season-long quest for much of 2024, but Rahm ultimately surpassed him at LIV Chicago to claim the title and its $18 million prize.
Following his victory, Niemann acknowledged that his loss to Rahm fueled his motivation this week.
“The spot where I ended up second in LIV, I really aimed to win. I believe I worked diligently for it. I was going to say I think I merit it, but in sports, you don’t truly deserve anything,” Niemann stated. “I realize that it gave me that additional motivation to come and play here for this final event of the year and accomplish something.”
He added, “It’s fantastic to secure a win with the International Series ranking as well. Yes, it gives me a better feeling at the end of the year than placing second in LIV. So I’m really pleased with how it concluded and eager for the upcoming break.”
Niemann’s well-earned break may not be as leisurely as previous years. The professional also shared that he is getting married on December 21st in time for Christmas and New Year’s celebrations with his family. Now they will all have a little extra joy during their bustling holiday festivities.
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