Jumping from the PGA Tour to the Saudi-funded LIV Golf comes with its pros and cons. Let’s start with the pros: of course, there’s the hefty payday, even though it came with the “traitor” tag. But that’s a story for another time. Right now, we’re talking about the perks of traveling the world as a LIV Golf player—a dream for many who want to combine passion with profession. For those players, LIV Golf is a dream come true.

Now, onto the cons. The Greg Norman-run circuit doesn’t offer the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points that players need, which can be a problem when it comes to qualifying for majors. But, players can still make it by competing in the DP World Tour or Asian Tour. And it seems like Joaquin Niemann has figured all this out, enjoying both the perks and the challenges of the LIV lifestyle.

Speaking of his travels, Joaquin Niemann recently played in the Australian Open, finishing tied for fifth. And right after wrapping that up, he was on a plane heading to Saudi Arabia for this week’s PIF Saudi International. Quite the life, right? But all that traveling can bring one thing to mind: jet lag. But for Niemann, that doesn’t seem to be an issue. In a recent media interaction, when asked if the constant travel was taking a toll on him, he quipped, “No, I’ve got great status on those airlines now, so they like me.”

On a more serious note, Niemann stressed the importance of being mentally and physically ready to handle the grind of a packed schedule. “I’m prepared. It is a little bit tiring, but I feel like after giving all my hundred percent on those weeks where it’s a little bit harder, it makes me feel — it makes me think about vacations and knowing I’ll enjoy them a lot more giving my hundred percent on those weeks.”

And honestly, what he says makes a lot of sense: when you make every swing count, all that travel feels worth it.

But Niemann’s story isn’t just about frequent flyer miles—it’s also about consistent performances on the course. In the last month, Niemann played in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Melbourne, and now Riyadh. His worst finish during that stretch? A tie for 23rd at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Now, he’s got a shot at his first win since March.

How was Joaquín Niemann’s 2024?

Making the move to LIV Golf was a big step for Joaquín Niemann, and it surely came with its fair share of challenges. But if you ask Rory McIlroy, he sees nothing but potential. “I think he is one of the top 10 or 15 players in the world. He’s got so much talent, so much potential. And he clearly wants it,” McIlroy said, having teed up with Niemann in both Abu Dhabi and the Dubai Desert Classic. Clearly, McIlroy is a fan of Niemann’s game and his drive.

Despite being part of LIV, Joaquin Niemann has managed to shine bright. He’s played well enough in Europe and Asia to rack up valuable World Ranking points (something LIV events don’t offer). This commitment has helped him miss just one major this season—the U.S. Open. He’s posted a win in Australia and three other top-10 finishes on the DP World Tour without missing a cut. Add in his LIV victory, and it’s been a pretty solid year for the Chilean golfer.