Joaquin Niemann exposes problem with LIV despite winning £3m at season opener

05 February 2024 , 13:24

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Joaquin Niemann has falling in the world rankings (Image: Getty Images)

Joaquin Niemann higlighted LIV Golf's long-standing issue with the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR), as the Chilean fell in the ranking list despite winning the LIV Mayakoba title.

Niemann got his hands on his very first individual LIV title, as the 25-year-old prevailed in a dramatic four-hole playoff against Sergio Garcia. Niemann - who shot an historic 59 in round one - ended the week at 12-under-par alongside Fireballs captain, Garcia.

With the light rapidly falling in Mexico, the pair were forced to battle it out via a playoff, and after tying the first three holes, were forced to return to the 18th tee for a fourth time.

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By this point Niemann and Garcia were facing off in near-darkness, as the green-side leaderboard lit up the putting surface. The Chilean finally ended the contest after four holes, rolling in an impressive birdie to secure £3million ($4m) in prize money.

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Niemann's win did however once again hone in on the breakaway league's ongoing issue with the OWGR. Amid its rapid rise in the professional game, the one kink in the LIV Golf armour has been its failure to acquire world ranking points for its 54-hole, no-cut events.

This has seen some of its biggest names tumble in the world rankings, and Niemann felt the effects come Monday morning. Despite prevailing in Mexico, the Torque GC captain saw his position in the rankings fall eight places from 66th to 74th.

Joaquin Niemann secured the LIV Mayakoba title on Sunday (Getty Images)

For Niemann this has been an ongoing issue, with his place in golf's four majors at stake. Despite being one of the world's most in-form golfers, the Chilean is only currently eligible to compete in this year's Open Championship after earning exemption thanks to winning December's Australian Open.

In his post-tournament interview, Niemann was quick to refer to this issue in the system. Amid all the praise he was heard claiming, 'But, I'm not in the majors." Niemann went to add that he 'hoped' he had caught the attention of the flagship event's governing bodies in a bid to an earn an invite, reiterating his goal to become a major champion.

Later on the Mayakoba champion revealed he used his omission from three of the four flagship tournaments as motivation to get over the line in Mexico. "I think I have a different mindset for this year," he said. "It kind of hurt me a little bit not being in the majors and I think also helped me to get motivation to kind of earn my spot back into the majors, into the elite players.

"I think it helped me a little bit to get focused back, to start working harder, to start working with a purpose. I think it's paying off, and I just want to keep telling myself that I'm capable of doing this, of winning tournaments, and this is a good way to prove that, and I don't want to stop working the way I'm doing it. I just want to keep going."

Joshua Lees