[Photo: Chung Sung-Jun]
Amid a cloud of uncertainty for LIV Golf, Joaquin Niemann locked up his reputation as its most dependable star with his eighth career victory coming in South Korea on Sunday courtesy of a clutch approach shot in a playoff.
LIV Golf’s future had been in question after last month’s news that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund would no longer fund the league after 2026. The circuit headed to Busan where its eighth event of the season began with LIV dropping one of its key live-streaming features.
By the end of the tournament, Chile’s Niemann defeated Talor Gooch in extra holes after a sublime gap wedge from 136 metres to close range allowed him to drain a birdie putt and claim the title. Two-time US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau finished third after cooling off from an initially hot final-day charge.
“I mean, I would love to describe exactly how it feels to be in that situation,” Niemann said of the gap-wedge shot in overtime. “But for me, it’s one of the best feelings ever. We practise every day. We wake up and try to get better, try to get the wedge game better, driving, putting. When we get to that moment on a playoff, we know we can deliver and trust what we practise, trust what we’re feeling and just commit to the shot. I love having that pressure, knowing that you’ve got to hit the shot and you win the tournament.”
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From an Australian perspective, while the all-Aussie Ripper GC made the podium by finishing third in the teams event, it was countryman Travis Smyth who left Korea with the largest spring in his step. A late call-up to replace the injured Paul Casey in DeChambeau’s Crushers GC outfit, Smyth shared eighth place individually as the Crushers earned a three-stroke teams victory, giving Smyth a total haul of $US1,192,500.
“I’m over the moon,” the New South Welshman said. “I’m super-proud of myself, super-proud of these guys and I couldn’t have asked for a better first week.”
At the top of the individual leaderboard, Niemann and Gooch had carded matching 67s in regulation at the par-70 Asiad Country Club, to finish at 12-under-par 268.
The victory was an anticipated first of the season for Niemann, 27, who recorded five LIV victories last year and two the year prior.
“I just look back to 2025, and it was so easy to win,” Niemann said as he extended his lead for the most wins any LIV player since its inception in 2022. “It just happened. I feel like that’s the way it should be, and I feel like I was forcing everything a little bit too much [this year].
“It was fun out there; I really enjoy the feeling of winning again. I love this game. Looking back at today’s round, especially the back nine, I have a big passion for this game. It teaches you every time, how you can improve.
“You’re always learning. You might be in trouble one hole, then the next hole you’re going to hit a heroic shot and make eagle or birdies, and then the next hole it could be something new or different.”
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DeChambeau was one shot shy of the playoff after a five-under 65 that was ignited by five birdies in his first 11 holes, only to complete his final seven holes in even-par.
“There were times where it felt amazing and times where it just leaked on me a little bit,” DeChambeau said. “I gave myself some chances, just wasn’t my day today.”
DeChambeau’s fellow two-time major winner, Dustin Johnson (66), was fourth at 10-under.
“Yeah, it’s been a couple years,” Johnson said when asked the last time his game felt this good. “It’s felt close, but it’s like, finally I feel like it’s consistent, like I’m finally driving it like I normally do. So it obviously takes a lot of pressure off the rest of your game. Now I can focus more on my wedges and my irons and chipping and putting.”
Earlier in the week in Korea, DeChambeau was asked about the PIF’s withdrawal from LIV after the 2026 season, to which he answered, “We were surprised that they pulled out as quickly as they did. We didn’t really see that coming. But that’s OK. One door closes, another opens.”
LIV executives have been pitching a new business plan to attract investors and sponsors, reportedly seeking between $US250 million and $US350 million. A new-look version of LIV Golf would extend equity beyond just the team captains and will have an emphasis on team golf.
The league continues next week with LIV Golf Andalucia at the famed Valderrama course in Spain as the final tune-up for players competing in the US Open.
