<!–>
MIAMI — Joaquin Niemann must have hit 100 balls on the range on Wednesday at Trump National Doral ahead of LIV Golf Miami. His support staff said almost nothing to him. Around him, the other pros worked with every kind of coach, trainer and manager. They made their tweaks to prepare for the weekend. But with Niemann, it’s fair to wonder whether there’s anything to change. He’s playing that well.
For the last 14 months on the LIV tour, the 26-year-old Chilean has never played better. The sustained excellence was enough for Phil Mickelson to tweet that Niemann is the best golfer in the world after he snagged another individual win at LIV Singapore.
“He’s a Hall of Fame player,” Niemann told FOX Sports on Thursday. “He’s been one of my idols since I was growing up. So, yeah, to have him say that is pretty special.”
For the second straight season, Niemann won two of the first four individual competitions in LIV. Last year, he finished second to Jon Rahm in the final individual standings. This year, Niemann sits at No. 1 and Rahm at No. 2. There’s no denying Niemann’s sustained excellence on LIV. But a handful of PGA Tour players have bristled at Mickelson’s comments. And perhaps that’s why Rahm stood up for his top competitor on the tour.
ADVERTISEMENT
–>
“There’s no surprise because at this point, it’s undeniable,” Rahm told FOX Sports. “It’s almost impossible to deny [Niemann’s] talent and his accomplishment, right? I understand why a lot of people might want to diminish his talent because he’s winning on LIV, but he is one of the most talented players in the world, one of the best players in the world — without a doubt.”
For Niemann, there’s only one way to settle the debate over his status as the world’s best.
The task ahead is both simple and complicated: win majors.
His best performance in a major was at the Masters, where he finished 16th at Augusta in 2023. He has also had top-25 finishes at the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. But no wins.
“You’re gauged so much in those major championships, right?” Rahm said. “So I think for anyone to be put on the radar [as the world’s best golfer], you need to win a major, and if you don’t win a major, you need to accomplish an astronomical amount of championships and accolades to be considered out there. It’s very difficult to do. And if you don’t ever win it, especially in majors, it’s going to be hard to ever be considered for things like that. He’s throwing his name out there — and thrown his name in the hat, and he has the opportunity, and I do agree with you, if he can show up and maybe get one [major] win.”
Niemann doesn’t shy away from his history at major tournaments. He said he is “still trying to figure it out” on that stage where he said he hopes to “try to handle those situations better.” To achieve those results, he has increased the intensity with which he approaches his offseasons, his tournament weekend and his swing sessions. LIV CEO Scott O’Neil said Niemann is the hardest-working pro on the tour, with his coaches having to pull him off the range.
After Singapore, Nieman said he felt like a “different player” this year. What’s changed?
“Everything, I feel like, has changed a lot. I feel like a different player. Everything. From every aspect, from the way I manage my golf game, the way I manage my emotions on the course, the way I prepare for tournaments, the way I prepare on my offseason,” he said. “I just have that commitment with myself of just becoming better. And since I signed that commitment with myself, I’ve just become a better golfer. It all started with that two years ago.”
One area — at least in LIV — where he might learn from Rahm is consistency. Rahm has never finished outside of the top 10 since joining LIV at the beginning of the 2023 season. That’s 16 straight events inside the top 10. In that same span, Niemann has four individual wins and eight podiums — but also three finishes at 30th or worse.
A win (or even a podium) in Miami would be a strong step toward that consistency. And it would set the stage for the Masters in Augusta, where Niemann hopes to be more than just a contender.
“Being mayor season, I do feel a little bit more of that pressure,” said Niemann, who serves as captain of t the end of the day, it’s only it’s only pressure. And we feel pressure every time we play golf tournaments. Every time it’s different. And I feel like every time is a new challenge. I’m just ready for that new challenge. I’ve been waiting for a good result for a while on the majors. I know it’s gonna come and just happy to be in the position I am, and the way I’m playing. I feel like it’ll be a good challenge and I’m looking forward to.”
Niemann has long been one of the princes of golf, ever since he dominated the amateur tour — and even snagged two PGA wins before joining LIV. But there can only be one king.
Prior to joining FOX Sports as an NFL reporter and columnist, Henry McKenna spent seven years covering the Patriots for USA TODAY Sports Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Follow him on Twitter at @henrycmckenna.
<!–>
recommended
Get more from LIV Golf Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
–>
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
NBA playoffs: Thunder coach Mark Daigneault defends decision to foul late with the lead after Nuggets steal Game 1
Mark Daigneault doesn’t regret fouling down the stretch on Monday night, even though it allowed the Denver Nuggets to be in position to steal Game 1 away from them in stunning fashion.The Oklahoma City Thunder coach, while admitting his strategy to foul the Nuggets while they had the lead down the stretch didn’t pan out, is convinced that was still the right move — even if they didn’t quite execute it perfectly.“That’s usually our deal is to foul up three and to play that game,” Daigneault said after the Nuggets’ stunning 121-119 win, via The Oklahoman’s Joel Lorenzi. “I thought we executed the fouls pretty well. Got the ball in bounds pretty well. It didn’t go our way tonight, but it’s worked out well for us in the past. We’ll continue to look at it, maybe learn from it, but […]
Ravens cut star kicker Tucker amid inappropriate behaviour allegations
The Baltimore Ravens have released star kicker Justin Tucker, months after he was accused of inappropriate behaviour by a number of massage therapists.The Ravens did not mention the allegations against Tucker - who has maintained his innocence - when announcing the 35-year-old would be cut, instead saying he was leaving due to "football reasons." The franchise signed another kicker, Tyler Loop, in this year's draft in a possible indication that they were ready to move on from Tucker, who holds the records for longest field goal and career field goal percentage in NFL history.Ravens' executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement: "Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances. Considering our current roster, we have made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker. Image: Tucker was the last remaining player […]
Nottingham Forest, Murillo and the importance of seizing the moment
There have been many Brazilian forwards who would have been proud of the instincts shown by Murillo, when he stretched out a boot to redirect a low shot from Neco Williams and beyond the reach of Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.It might have been a cathartic moment for the Brazilian defender who, in just his second game for Nottingham Forest in 2023, had come within a whisker of scoring what would have been one of the most memorable goals in the club’s modern history at Selhurst Park. That was a rampaging, charging run down the pitch, that took him beyond a clutch of helpless defenders, before he was denied at the last by Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.AdvertisementOn Monday, there was only a single jabbing touch. There is an irony to the fact that a player who frequently, and spectacularly, tries […]
Kolumne „Meine Bayern“ – Welche No-Names die wahren Meister sind
„Meine Bayern“ heißt die Kolumne von SPORT BILD-Reporter-Legende Raimund Hinko, die sich mit dem deutschen Rekordmeister befasst. Hinko begleitet den FC Bayern seit Jahrzehnten.Lieber Jupp Heynckes,hiermit gratuliere ich – natürlich auch dem FC Bayern zur 34. Deutschen Meisterschaft. Doch zuallererst gratuliere ich Dir, dass Du am Freitag den 80er vollmachst. Hast gearbeitet wie ein Stier, geschuftet, dass normal 100 Jahre nicht reichen. Warst Dir für nichts zu schade. Nicht mal dafür, viermal zu den Bayern zu kommen. Und natürlich trägt auch der neue Meister irgendwie deine Handschrift, so nachhaltig war dein Wirken. Akribie bei den einfachsten Dingen gepaart mit spielerischem Glanz in höchstem Tempo. Man nehme nur den Uralt-Trick von Arjen Robben – von rechts nach innen, Schuss mit links und Tor. So wie es Michael Olise, die Entdeckung der Saison, im Schlaf beherrscht. Dieser Schütze des 2:2 der Bayern […]
The Knicks had a process of their own in Game 1 — dare the Celtics to shoot
BOSTON — If you’re a fan of the Boston Celtics, chances are you read many an authoritative report laying it out there how easy it was going to be for the defending NBA champions to blow out the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Given their undisciplined and at times flat-out clumsy performance in Game 1 Monday night at TD Garden, it’s not unfair to wonder if the Celtics also read those reports … and nodded approvingly.AdvertisementThe problem, as the Celtics discovered to their dismay, was that Game 1 was played on parquet, not paper. When it was over, the Knicks had themselves a stunning 108-105 overtime victory. For those who have been putting it out there that Celtics-Knicks isn’t a “real” rivalry since, after all, Boston has done most of the winning over the years, let the […]
Přítelkyně je někdy naštvaná, že se ani nepohádám, usmívá se fantom Postava
„Překvapil jsem nejenom všechny, ale i sám sebe. Jsem rád, že jsem týmu mohl takto pomoct a odvděčit se za důvěru, kterou jsem dostal a jakou jsem ani nečekal,“ září rodák z Valašského Meziříčí, který v rozhovoru mluví nejen o svých začátcích s hokejem, ale také o budoucnosti i koníčcích. Co pro vás Cena Práva pro nejlepšího brankáře extraligy znamená?Jde o asi největší ocenění po mistrovském titulu, je to celkově pohádka se šťastným koncem.Už jste vstřebali, co se vám povedlo?To ještě asi bude na dlouhé povídání, než to zpracuji. Pořád je těžké tomu uvěřit.Co vy a oslavy? Působíte hodně klidným dojmem. Tady konečně můžu upustit páru, oslavy si umím užít (úsměv). První dva dny byly krušné, pak jsme měli jeden regenerační den a potom to zas pokračovalo po oslavách s fanoušky na Zelném trhu. Jak snášíte obrovskou pozornost, která je na vás nyní upřena?Je to super, ozvali se mi snad všichni známí z Valašského […]
Related
NBA playoffs: Thunder coach Mark Daigneault defends decision to foul late with the lead after Nuggets steal Game 1
Mark Daigneault doesn’t regret fouling down the stretch on Monday night, even though it allowed the Denver Nuggets to be in position to steal Game 1 away from them in stunning fashion.The Oklahoma City Thunder coach, while admitting his strategy to foul the Nuggets while they had the lead down the stretch didn’t pan out, is convinced that was still the right move — even if they didn’t quite execute it perfectly.“That’s usually our deal is to foul up three and to play that game,” Daigneault said after the Nuggets’ stunning 121-119 win, via The Oklahoman’s Joel Lorenzi. “I thought we executed the fouls pretty well. Got the ball in bounds pretty well. It didn’t go our way tonight, but it’s worked out well for us in the past. We’ll continue to look at it, maybe learn from it, but […]
Ravens cut star kicker Tucker amid inappropriate behaviour allegations
The Baltimore Ravens have released star kicker Justin Tucker, months after he was accused of inappropriate behaviour by a number of massage therapists.The Ravens did not mention the allegations against Tucker - who has maintained his innocence - when announcing the 35-year-old would be cut, instead saying he was leaving due to "football reasons." The franchise signed another kicker, Tyler Loop, in this year's draft in a possible indication that they were ready to move on from Tucker, who holds the records for longest field goal and career field goal percentage in NFL history.Ravens' executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement: "Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances. Considering our current roster, we have made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker. Image: Tucker was the last remaining player […]
Nottingham Forest, Murillo and the importance of seizing the moment
There have been many Brazilian forwards who would have been proud of the instincts shown by Murillo, when he stretched out a boot to redirect a low shot from Neco Williams and beyond the reach of Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.It might have been a cathartic moment for the Brazilian defender who, in just his second game for Nottingham Forest in 2023, had come within a whisker of scoring what would have been one of the most memorable goals in the club’s modern history at Selhurst Park. That was a rampaging, charging run down the pitch, that took him beyond a clutch of helpless defenders, before he was denied at the last by Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.AdvertisementOn Monday, there was only a single jabbing touch. There is an irony to the fact that a player who frequently, and spectacularly, tries […]
Kolumne „Meine Bayern“ – Welche No-Names die wahren Meister sind
„Meine Bayern“ heißt die Kolumne von SPORT BILD-Reporter-Legende Raimund Hinko, die sich mit dem deutschen Rekordmeister befasst. Hinko begleitet den FC Bayern seit Jahrzehnten.Lieber Jupp Heynckes,hiermit gratuliere ich – natürlich auch dem FC Bayern zur 34. Deutschen Meisterschaft. Doch zuallererst gratuliere ich Dir, dass Du am Freitag den 80er vollmachst. Hast gearbeitet wie ein Stier, geschuftet, dass normal 100 Jahre nicht reichen. Warst Dir für nichts zu schade. Nicht mal dafür, viermal zu den Bayern zu kommen. Und natürlich trägt auch der neue Meister irgendwie deine Handschrift, so nachhaltig war dein Wirken. Akribie bei den einfachsten Dingen gepaart mit spielerischem Glanz in höchstem Tempo. Man nehme nur den Uralt-Trick von Arjen Robben – von rechts nach innen, Schuss mit links und Tor. So wie es Michael Olise, die Entdeckung der Saison, im Schlaf beherrscht. Dieser Schütze des 2:2 der Bayern […]
The Knicks had a process of their own in Game 1 — dare the Celtics to shoot
BOSTON — If you’re a fan of the Boston Celtics, chances are you read many an authoritative report laying it out there how easy it was going to be for the defending NBA champions to blow out the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Given their undisciplined and at times flat-out clumsy performance in Game 1 Monday night at TD Garden, it’s not unfair to wonder if the Celtics also read those reports … and nodded approvingly.AdvertisementThe problem, as the Celtics discovered to their dismay, was that Game 1 was played on parquet, not paper. When it was over, the Knicks had themselves a stunning 108-105 overtime victory. For those who have been putting it out there that Celtics-Knicks isn’t a “real” rivalry since, after all, Boston has done most of the winning over the years, let the […]
Přítelkyně je někdy naštvaná, že se ani nepohádám, usmívá se fantom Postava
„Překvapil jsem nejenom všechny, ale i sám sebe. Jsem rád, že jsem týmu mohl takto pomoct a odvděčit se za důvěru, kterou jsem dostal a jakou jsem ani nečekal,“ září rodák z Valašského Meziříčí, který v rozhovoru mluví nejen o svých začátcích s hokejem, ale také o budoucnosti i koníčcích. Co pro vás Cena Práva pro nejlepšího brankáře extraligy znamená?Jde o asi největší ocenění po mistrovském titulu, je to celkově pohádka se šťastným koncem.Už jste vstřebali, co se vám povedlo?To ještě asi bude na dlouhé povídání, než to zpracuji. Pořád je těžké tomu uvěřit.Co vy a oslavy? Působíte hodně klidným dojmem. Tady konečně můžu upustit páru, oslavy si umím užít (úsměv). První dva dny byly krušné, pak jsme měli jeden regenerační den a potom to zas pokračovalo po oslavách s fanoušky na Zelném trhu. Jak snášíte obrovskou pozornost, která je na vás nyní upřena?Je to super, ozvali se mi snad všichni známí z Valašského […]
Be the first to leave a comment