LIV Golf star's major demand vindicated after joining DeChambeau in sub-60 club
Joaquin Niemann has become only the second player in LIV Golf history to break 60, after the Torque GC star carded a superb 12-under-par 59 in the opening round at Mayakoba.
Niemann flew out the blocks after starting the event on the second tee, birdieing five of his first six holes, before the train stopped with a par at the eighth. The Chilean did not slow down for long though, as another two birdies followed.
The highlight out his scintillating showing then came at the par-four 11th, after he holed out for eagle from the fairway to move to nine-under for the day through just 10 holes in Mexico.
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Three more birdies then dropped at the 13th, 15th and 17th to ensure he broke the magic number. The Torque skipper joins Bryson DeChambeau in the sub-60 LIV Golf club, after the American completed the feat when shooting a final round 12-under 58 to win LIV Greenbrier last summer. Niemann's Friday showing comes just weeks after he opened up on his world ranking woes.
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The Chilean is one of a number of LIV stars that have tumbled down the world rankings since making the switch, which is set to see him miss three of the four majors in 2024. Niemann banked a place at this year's Open after winning the Australian Open in December, but this is set to be his only major trip this campaign following his drift in the rankings.
He did return to the DP World Tour for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January in a bid to improve his ranking and gain a place in April's Masters. For now the Chilean remains outside the sacred top-50 in the world, but speaking at the time Niemann believes he is one name that should be teeing it up at golf's four flagship events.
He exclusively told Mirror Sport last month: "Right now it is all about the best players and right now I think I am one of those, I have got to be in those majors. Obviously I took the decision to come to LIV and I knew it was going to be hard to get into the majors because of it.
"But I think now they have to find a way to get us in, that is why I am trying to play more tournaments than just LIV Golf." And it appears his calls to be included among the world's best were seemingly vindicated following his remarkable 59 on Friday.
For now the concentration for Niemann will be on winning this week's golf tournament, as he hunts for his first every victory on the breakaway league. He has a number of big names keen to chase him down.
In second is Patrick Reed at seven-under-par, whilst Fireballs GC captain Sergio Garcia is a further shot behind at six-under-par. Mega-money debutant Jon Rahm finds himself in a tie for fourth, as he is joined by wildcard Laurie Canter seven shots off the lead.
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