The golf world is no stranger to bold predictions, but sometimes, even the most seasoned analysts take a step back when discussing the true potential of players who may be flying under the radar—or those who, despite their success, seem to still have much to prove. The drama between PGA Tour and LIV Golf rages on, and this time, the spotlight is on Jon Rahm and a LIV golfer with high expectations—thanks to none other than Phil Mickelson.

But as LIV’s Joaquin Niemann continues to shine on the circuit, one expert’s brutally honest take could shift the conversation. According to Keith Stewart on The Smylie Show, some major names should be worried about Rahm’s dominance, while Niemann’s path to a top-tier finish remains a mystery—no matter the hype. Let’s dive into why this prediction could rattle the golf world.

Keith Stewart, from Read the Line, didn’t mince words when discussing the LIV players’ chances at making waves in the upcoming Majors, particularly LIV’s bright stars like Joaquin Niemann. While Niemann continues to rack up victories on LIV Golf’s 54-hole, 54-man field, Stewart believes it’s difficult to gauge just how ready LIV players are for the high-pressure Majors.

Talking in a recent episode of The Smylie Show, Stewart remarked, “I don’t expect much from Joaquin Niemann—I expect the same from Tyrrell Hatton, and I expect the same from Rahm, because they are who they are; we know them at this point in their career. If it was a younger person, like David Quig or something like that, that was gonna pop up, I’m just going to miss them, because we don’t have the data or the competition to really kind of understand where those guys are at, but I know what I can get out of Jon Rahm.” The statement was a pointed remark at LIV players like Niemann, who Stewart feels haven’t yet proven themselves on the grandest stage—especially in the Majors. Stewart’s skepticism about LIV players isn’t just about their performances; it’s about the lack of competition at LIV Golf’s tournaments. Without the intensity of PGA Tour events and their format, it’s hard for Stewart to believe that Niemann and others can deliver when the stakes are highest.

On the other hand, Stewart couldn’t speak highly enough of Jon Rahm, especially when it comes to major championships. Unlike the LIV players, Rahm has proven himself time and again, and Stewart emphasizes that Rahm is always a force to be reckoned with, no matter the tournament. “Jon Rahm I would always be worried about. I think Jon Rahm, no matter where he’s playing, is a top three talent in the world, you know; I just think that he is. And maybe Xander’s fourth, but Jon Rahm is an unbelievable talent, and I think that he could win at any venue at any time. I would like, you know, it would be nice if he had more competition to push him, but we don’t live in that world, right?”

Stewart even referenced Rahm’s remarkable performance at the 2024 Open Championship at Troon: “He played the best; he topped 10 at Troon in the wrong wave. I mean, that was unbelievable golf that he played at Troon—really good, un-freaking-believable golf, right? And in the bad wave, and like, Joaquin Niemann has never Top 10 in a Major, right?”

For Stewart, Rahm represents everything that LIV players are missing—top-tier competition and the mental toughness to handle the grind of a full 72-hole Major.

Phil Mickelson’s bold Niemann endorsement

Phil Mickelson, ever the provocateur, made a bold statement following Joaquin Niemann’s latest victory at LIV Golf in Singapore. The five-time Major winner took to X/Twitter to declare that Niemann is undoubtedly a top-10 player on the planet. This might sound like a stretch to some, especially considering the Chilean’s current world ranking of 81st due to the lack of World Ranking points for LIV events. For a player with such limited recognition on the global stage, Phil’s declaration is sure to raise a few eyebrows.

At first glance, Niemann’s achievement might not seem all that remarkable. However, with two wins in 2025 already under his belt, including a triumph in Singapore, his confidence and form seem to be at an all-time high. With a peak world ranking of 15th and a solid performance at the Masters, Niemann has shown he’s capable of competing on the biggest stages, even if he hasn’t yet broken through with a Major victory. Yet, there are those who remain skeptical, pointing out that his highest finish at Augusta National was only a T-16.

Phil Mickelson, however, isn’t one to shy away from controversial opinions, and his statement has sparked a debate in golf circles. While some might see LIV’s unique format as a diminished test of a golfer’s ability, Mickelson’s faith in Niemann could prove to be a self-fulfilling prophecy if the 26-year-old continues to thrive on the global stage. This is particularly true as Niemann heads into the Masters once again, with a special invite from Augusta National. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely, eager to see if Niemann can back up Mickelson’s bold claim and silence his critics. It’s the perfect setup for a thrilling story that could unfold at one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments. Get ready for a dramatic April at Augusta!