Joaquin Niemann wins his first LIV Golf title by outlasting Sergio Garcia

“It was very dark,” Joaquin Niemann remarked. “I think it probably assisted me to just look at the hole, get a feeling, and just get it there instead of being so picky about where I put it.” It was perhaps the most perfect ending. To win, I intended to make a putt on the final hole.

After starting with a 12-under 59 two days prior, Joaquin Niemann claimed his first LIV Golf championship. However, on Sunday morning, he was penalized two strokes for taking the wrong relief on a drop from a cart lane on the 13th hole.

Joaquin Niemann remarked, “I’m pretty happy with how the day turned out, especially with how the morning started.” “I believe that dinner will have a somewhat greater flavor than breakfast.
The 25-year-old Chilean was two shots ahead going into the last round thanks to the penalty strokes. At El Camaleon, he finished with a 70, matching Garcia at 12-under 201 after birdying the last two holes. Garcia birdied the last three regulation holes to finish with a 66.

Joaquin Niemann survived when Garcia missed a 10-foot birdie attempt on the third playoff hole. Niemann had chances to secure the victory on the par-4 18th in regulation and again on the first two extra trips down the hole. In the opening playoff hole, the winner’s drive found trouble when it impacted a right-side tree and went up in the rough.
Niemann remarked, “I got fortunate on the first playoff hole.” “I believe that shot there was what saved me from the two-shot penalty I received this morning. Kind of how I interpreted it.

Garcia gave Niemann a big opening when he missed his approach from the fairway well right in deep rough. Niemann and Garcia chose to play a fourth extra hole in the waning light rather than finish on Monday. In the longest playoff in the three-year history of the Saudi-funded competition, Niemann won after the 44-year-old Spanish player’s flop shot sped by the right edge.

In December, Niemann defeated Rikuya Hoshino in a playoff match at the Australian Open with an eagle.
Niemann remarked, “I was more eager than anything to get the season started, to begin playing on LIV and start playing for my teammates.” “I was just eager to get going. This seems like the most sensible place to start.

Joaquin Niemann joined the DP World Tour after winning the Australian Open in the latter part of last year. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he participated in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic two weeks ago, placing fourth overall but just short of making it into the top 50.

Without LIV Golf obtaining world ranking points through the Official World Golf Ranking, that objective will prove difficult to achieve.

Niemann remarked, “I want to lift the majors, but I must get in first,” during an interview for the LIV broadcast following his triumph.

Because the Australian Open was an Open Qualifying Series tournament, he qualified for the British Open. If he stays in the top 100 in the world, he will probably also be awarded a spot in the PGA Championship. There is a top 50 cutoff in early April for the Masters, but it seems far off since he won’t be playing any OWGR events that yield enough points. He might receive a special exemption from Augusta National.

The most notable name to sign with LIV Golf League in the off-season, Jon Rahm, the winner of the Masters, tied for third in his tour debut at 10 under.
Rahm finished with two bogeys for a 70 after being tied for the lead with just two holes remaining. On the 17th, he drove left towards mess, and on the 18th, he discovered a fairway bunker from the tee.
The Spanish player did lead Legion XIII, four strokes ahead of the Crushers GC headed by Bryson DeChambeau, to the team championship.

Rahm remarked, “It’s very nice to actually have something to get excited about on a day when, in any normal tournament, I probably would have been disappointed at my finish.”

Following a 70, Dean Burmester was also 10 under.
Burmester remarked, “It wasn’t my day, nevertheless, but it was there for the taking.”

Charles Howell III, the defending champion, matched Dustin Johnson (67) and Brooks Koepka (68) for fifth place at 8 under.

Niemann made $4 million, Rahm and Burmester each made $1.25 million, while Garcia made $2.25 million. In the team tournament, Rahm won $3 million along with colleagues Tyrrell Hatton, Caleb Surratt, and Kieran Vincent from Legion XIII.

The LeaderBoard at the end of the Round 3 was as follow ; https://x.com/sportscorner921/status/1754367298570162621?s=20

The tour will travel to Las Vegas for an event that begins Thursday.