Calm Joaquin Niemann cruises to LIV Singapore title

SINGAPORE – Joaquin Niemann has been in impressive form of late, winning six times in the last 16 months, but he yearns for more. To be precise: Getting his hands on an elusive first Major title.

In 22 appearances at the Majors, the Chilean has missed seven cuts and his best showing came at the 2023 Masters, where he tied for 16th place.

While he admitted his Major disappointment is “something that kind of bothers” him, the 26-year-old is also confident that his time will come, and his LIV Singapore victory on March 16 will surely attest to that.

At Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong Course, Niemann carded a six-under 65 to sign for a 17-under 196 total, securing his second victory of the year after his LIV Adelaide title on Feb 16.

He finished five strokes ahead of American defending champion Brooks Koepka (65),with New Zealander Ben Campbell (67) coming in third on 202.

Niemann said: “If you ask me, I’m pretty sure and I’m pretty calm about it because I know it’s going to come.

“I know I’m going to win a Major, I know it’s going to happen. Maybe not at the Masters (starting on April 10),maybe yes. I have no idea. I just know it’s going to happen.”

He had woken up feeling “a little bit more anxious” knowing that he was up against an in-form Sebastian Munoz and Dustin Johnson, with whom he had a share of the lead going into the final day of the tournament.

But the nerves quickly dissipated as Niemann claimed the sole lead after sinking a 30-foot putt to open the round with a birdie.

While Niemann enjoyed a good start, his flight mates had contrasting fortunes.

Former world No. 1 Johnson’s round unravelled with four bogeys and two