Joaquin Niemann wants LIV Golf to ‘improve,’ offers PGA solution to have ‘more competitive’ events

Joaquin Niemann wants a PGA Tour policy change by 2025 to let LIV Golfers compete in major championships. The 25-year-old golfer, who joined the Saudi-backed series in 2022, noted that the circuit needs major eligibility to ‘improve.’

Niemann, who has two PGA Tour wins to his name, noted that LIV Golf's exclusion from the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) is ‘frustrating.’ He claimed that he feels like he’s ‘pulling hard for LIV Golf to improve.’ Notably, he went on to add that he would ‘find a way to be in the majors’ despite the circuit’s limitations.

Speaking about LIV Golf’s major championship qualification situation, Joaquin Niemann said, as quoted by the Daily Express:

“It's frustrating, but in the end, I feel like I'm pulling hard for LIV Golf to improve, and I think (expanded major championship eligibility) would be one of the ways that the game and LIV would improve. From my side personally, I feel like I'm going to find a way to be in the majors, so it doesn't frustrate me or put me out.”

It is pertinent to note that LIV Golfers currently need to participate in DP World Tour events or the Asian Tour to gain points needed to qualify for major events. Niemann, who has been actively competing in global tournaments suggests at least the ‘top 10 players’ from LIV should be granted eligibility for the majors.

Offering a highly optimistic solution to the PGA to resolve LIV’s major qualification issue, Niemann said:

“I would say top 10 guys. There are definitely 10 guys here that could win majors. Yeah, they can definitely give those 10 spots for us and have more competitive majors.”

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Joaquin Niemann optimistic about pathway for LIV golfers to major championships

Joaquin Niemann transitioned to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit in 2022. Following the move, the golfer was suspended from the PGA Tour. Despite this, Niemann managed to get special exemptions to the Masters and the PGA Championship. He also qualified for the US Open and The Open Championship this year.

Interestingly, the golfer remains highly optimistic about a possible pathway for LIV players to qualify for major championships in the near future. Niemann has exuded confidence in the ongoing PGA Tour-PIF talks.

Joaquin Niemann said, as quoted by the Daily Express:

“I believe that it's going to happen. I feel like they've got to pull for the best of the game, and I think that's the right way to do it, hopefully give us some spots out here on LIV and have the best players in there.”

Niemann is currently representing Chile at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It’ll be interesting to see how the golfer fares against competition from both LIV and PGA Tour players at the Le Golf National in Paris.