03 December 2023 , 15:48
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Joaquin Niemann is the second LIV Golf star in seven days to earn a 2024 Open Championship spot after winning the Australian Open in Sydney on Sunday.
Niemann needed a playoff to defeat Japan's Rikuya Hoshino, after battling his way into contention by carding an impressive five-under-par 66 in Sunday's final round. After tying their opening decider, Niemann then edged out Hoshino on the second playoff hole thanks to an eagle at the par-five 18th.
As well as taking home the title and £140,000 in prize money, there was also an added prize for Niemann, who earned a spot at next summer's Open at Royal Troon.
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Prior to his trip down under Niemann was one of a number of LIV Golf stars who was ineligible to compete in the final major of the 2024 season. Representation for the breakaway league at next year's majors is expected to be sparse, following their latest Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) rejection.
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Since forming last June, LIV have been hosting events without world ranking points. This has seen the likes of Niemann - who is a former world No. 15 - tumble down the ranking list. In October, the Saudi-funded series learned their wait for OWGR recognition was to go on.
A number of LIV formalities are said to be stopping their application, including its 54-hole, no cut events, as well its so-called 'closed shop' roster, which sees players avoid relegation from the league thanks to their contracts. In response LIV bosses were unsurprisingly not pleased.
Joaquin Niemann landed the Australian Open crown (Getty Images)I n a statement, Greg Norman and co claimed, "professional golf is now without a true or global scoring and ranking system," due to OWGR's LIV snub. Despite the ranking issue Niemann will not be alone at Troon next year, after f ollowing in the footsteps of fellow rebel player, Dean Burmester.
Like Niemann, Burmester too earned his Open spot via the DP World Tour after winning last week's Joburg Open back in his home country of South Africa. Things then got even better for the Stingers GC star, as he landed back-to-back wins on the DP World Tour, by clinching the SA Open by three shots on Sunday.
Burmester, Niemann and a number of other LIV stars have returned to the DP World Tour in recent weeks. This comes despite the Wentworth-based circuit implementing fines and suspensions on those who have opted to join the breakaway league since its inception.
Recent tournaments however have been somewhat of a loophole for LIV stars to compete on the former European Tour, with the recent Australian swing co-sanctioned with the PGA Tour of Australasia and the South African-based events aligned with the Sunshine Tour.