Joaquin Niemann is in the middle of a career-best stretch of golf. The Chilean kick-started it off with the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship last November. Since then, the 25-year-old has sniffed victory three times across LIV Golf and the DP World Tour, with eight further top-10s. Niemann’s globetrotting triumphs were generously rewarded by Augusta National, the PGA of America, and now the R&A. 

So, Niemann has reasons to be hopeful after a T11 through 36 holes at Royal Troon. Asked if this is the best run of form in his career, the Torque GC captain said, “Yeah, I would say so. I think every aspect of my game is improving a lot. I think my short game — like we saw today, I think my short game needs a lot of improvement, and I know that, if my short game can be up there like my putter was today, these couple days, I know I’ll be fighting in many tournaments.”

Yet none of that guarantees his future in the majors. Niemann tied for 39th in the PGA Championship and picked a T22 at the Masters. This year, the LIV golfer barely missed his mark at the U.S. Open qualifier at The Bear’s Club. At the Open, Niemann needs to hold his grip over the leaderboard to guarantee a spot at Royal Portrush. 

Notably, Greg Norman has withdrawn LIV’s plea from OWGR’s table. Effectively, there is no way Niemann & Co. will be paid in world ranking points in their day job. With the merger still a far cry, Niemann has either to play his way in or rely on the good graces of the major organizers. 

So far, no one has buzzed on LIV’s plea for a direct exemption. The outgoing R&A CEO brushed aside any possibility of a direct path for LIV Golfers. Whereas, the USGA CEO is more sympathetic to the cause but is waiting for more clarity. 

Major organizers’ current stand offers little hope for Joaquin Niemann

Masters handing out an invitation to Joaquin Niemann triggered speculations that major organizers are in talks to create a direct pathway for LIV golfers. However, Augusta National CEO, Fred Ridley, quashed all the suggestions.  Whereas, the USGA CEO, Mike Whan, was a little more lenient. 

Whan understands the necessity of a direct path might arise in the future. But he doesn’t want to take any hasty decision now. “If LIV stays as a separate entity and keeps the quality of players that it’s got, can I envision a pathway to the U.S. Open through LIV? I can, but I’d like to see what the final product is, and we’re just not exactly sure we know that yet.”

Seth Waugh, the outgoing PGA of America CEO, hasn’t revealed what’s on his mind. But then the PGA Championship offered seven invites to LIV golfers this year. Martin Slumbers, who is in his last year as the R&A CEO, emphasized that the Open qualifying series was enough for everyone. So, for Joaquin Niemann, there are no guaranteed spots on offer in any major as of now. The Chilean’s best bet is to keep doing what he did early this year.