LIV Golf star’s major demand vindicated after joining Bryson DeChambeau in exclusive club
Joaquin Niemann made history last Friday with a 60 in the first round at LIV Mayakoba, an incredible 13 under 59.
Joaquin Nieman became the second player in LIV Golf history to shoot 60 after the Torque GC star shot a perfect 12-under par 59 in the opening round at Mayakoba.
Niemann flew out of the blocks after starting the match on the second tee, bogeying five of the first six holes before halting the train with a bogey on the eighth hole. But Chile didn’t have to wait long, as two more birds followed suit.
The highlight of his stellar performance came on the par-4 11th hole. He birdied the fairway to give Eagle a 9-stroke lead for the day after just 10 holes in Mexico. On holes 13, 15 and 17, he added 3 birdies to pass the magic number. Torque captain Bryson DeChambeau joined Torque captain Bryson DeChambeau at LIV Golf Club after completing the feat with a 12-under-par final round to win the LIV Greenbrier last summer. Niemann’s appearance on Friday comes just weeks after he opened up about his struggles in the world rankings.
The Chilean is one of several LIV stars to fall in the world rankings following his move. That means he will miss three out of four majors in 2024. Niemann qualified for this year’s Open after winning the Australian Open last December, but this will be his only major tournament since his demotion.
He returned to the DP World Tour at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January to improve his ranking and secure a spot at the Masters in April. Currently, the Chilean is still ranked in the world’s top 50, but as he speaks, Niemann believes he is a name that could qualify for golf’s four major championships.
He told Mirror Sport in an exclusive interview last month: “It’s all about the best players now and the minute I think I’m one of them, I should be in the top flight. Obviously I decided to come to LIV and I knew it was going to make it harder to get to the majors.
“But now I think they have to find a way to get us, so I’m trying to play more tournaments than LIV Golf.” His currency seemed to be the best in the world. After 59 years since Friday, he seems to have been vindicated. LIV Golf survived a major scare when John Rahm’s debut went viral.
Jon Rahm could benefit from LIV Golf’s “transfer window,” as the Civil War decision suggests.
For now, Niemann will focus on winning this week’s golf tournament as he seeks his first major league title. He has a big name to follow. Patrick Reed is tied for second at 7-under, Fireballs GC captain Sergio Garcia is one shot behind at 6-under and mega-money rookie Jon Rahm is 7-under par behind Rory Canter (Laurie Kanter ), tied for 4th place.
