Joaquin Niemann wins LIV Jeddah; Anthony Kim final in return

KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY, Saudi Arabia — Joaquin Niemann gained his second LIV Golf title in three begins, closing with a 4-under 66 on Sunday at LIV Golf Jeddah for a 4-shot victory over Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel.

Niemann now has three wins previously three months, beginning with the Australian Open victory in December that allowed him to rejoin the European tour and finally put him on the trail towards getting invited to the Masters.

He began his third season within the Saudi-funded league with a 59 at Mayakoba and profitable in a playoff over Sergio Garcia. Now he soars to the highest of the factors record with one other win forward of subsequent week’s LIV occasion in Hong Kong.

“We have got one other week to return,” Niemann mentioned. “I informed myself I can win these three weeks I am taking part in. So subsequent week and see what occurs.”

He completed third in an Asian Tour occasion in Oman final week.

Nobody bought nearer than 2 pictures behind Niemann within the remaining spherical at Royal Greens. Oosthuizen was the final challenger till a bogey on the sixteenth gap. He shot 67, whereas Schwartzel had a 68.

Niemann additionally took a dig on the world rating in his interview with LIV’s broadcast crew. He was requested if he was one of many main favorites to win a significant this 12 months.

“How is that doable? I am like 100 on the planet,” Niemann mentioned with a smile.

Niemann is No. 72 on the planet. The Official World Golf Rating, in a vote forged by the organizations that run the majors, selected to not award LIV rating factors due to the small discipline (54 gamers) that capabilities as a closed store with no qualifying.

Anthony Kim, who had gone 12 years with out aggressive golf till signing a cope with LIV Golf this week, had a 74 and completed in final place, 33 pictures out of the lead. He made two birdies Sunday, giving him 4 birdies for the week.

Kim’s deal permits him to play the remainder of LIV’s occasions this 12 months with out being connected to a crew.

Crushers gained the crew occasion Sunday.

Niemann completed at 17-under 193 and earned $4 million, giving him $8,162,000 in three LIV occasions this 12 months.

The Masters gave Niemann an invite primarily based on his Australian Open victory, together with two different top-five performances in European tour occasions. The Australian Open win will get him into the Open Championship, and his efficiency is more likely to earn him a spot within the PGA Championship.

He must qualify for the U.S. Open, except he have been to win the Masters. The 25-year-old Chilean is getting loads of consideration together with his two victories this 12 months.

“I am more than pleased about the way in which I am taking part in,” Niemann mentioned. “I simply need to carry on the identical path. I am fairly pleased with the way in which I performed all week.”