Joaquin Niemann aims to capitalize on his triumph in Saudi Arabia
The captain of Torque GC, Joaquin Niemann, will aim to continue his success from last year in Saudi Arabia as LIV Golf kicks off the season at Riyadh Golf Club on Thursday.
The 26-year-old Chilean claimed victory in the LIV Golf Jeddah individual championship last March and then went on to win the Asian Tour's season-ending PIF Saudi Invitational in December.
\"Saudi has been very good to me recently. Last time we were here, it was a fantastic week for me,\" Niemann stated during a press conference on Wednesday.
Niemann defeated his fellow LIV players Cameron Smith and Caleb Surratt in a playoff to win the Saudi Invitational. His lob on the second extra hole landed just a foot from the hole, allowing him to birdie and secure the win.
\"It was a lot of fun playing, with a lot of birdies. I felt like towards the end, I didn't play my best, and sometimes that happens, not being able to finish those last holes as well as I wanted. But being able to come back in the playoff and play well, it was good for me,\" he said.
\"Yeah, it was great. Saudi has been great, so I can't complain. Hopefully it continues to be the same.\"
Niemann expressed his excitement for the challenge of playing under the lights this week.
\"I'm really looking forward to it... It's something completely new,\" he stated.
\"I know playing in these conditions makes it really special, too, because it's not something we normally do. We have to adjust to all these different conditions, sometimes getting different lies where the light is a bit different and getting a different feel for the distance, which can be a bit strange. It's also a bit colder,\" he continued.
\"Yeah, it's going to be different. It will be the same for everyone, and I think it will be really exciting for viewers all over the world. They will be watching live, so it will be very special.\"
Niemann's impressive 2024 season earned him special invitations to this year's Masters Tournament and PGA Championship. His best finish in a major so far was a T16 at Augusta in 2023.
\"Obviously they're special, especially in these last two years where it's been tough for golf, not being able to have direct access to the majors,\" he said. \"But to be recognized by Augusta and now by the PGA for two years is really special. I'm really happy about it. It's only one step; I need to be there, and then of course, I have to play well in those tournaments. But I'm happy to be in them.\"
