‘Non-competitive Joke “Tour”’: Joaquin Niemann Blasted by Fans Despite Historic 59 in LIV Golf Opener

Fans are not impressed with Joaquin Niemann carding a 12-under 59 on the LIV Golf Mayakoba. It’s an honorable feat, they agree but in a one-off event nonetheless. Not something that should be considered for Majors, that’s the popular consensus among fans. 

The Chilean star has struggled to find the blistering form that made him a force to be reckoned with on the PGA Tour. Netizens don’t think that his sub-60 score is a sign of something great to come. Rather, they are quick to point out that the Majors are a different ball game altogether, as his previous records show. 

Joaquin Niemann has very little ‘Major’ hopes

Interestingly enough, Niemann had no idea that it was on the doorstep of history. Speaking to the media after the round, the Chilean Star said, “I got to 12 and didn’t realize it was 72 or 71 and didn’t want to do the math.”

Nevertheless, his unique feat, which makes him the only second player after Bryson DeChambeau, who carded 58 last year, doesn’t do anything to bolster his Major chances. Flushing It Golf was quick to point that out on X (formerly Twitter) 

The account run by an ex-Pro golfer tweeted that despite having a brilliant round, which destroys the myth that LIV Golf lacks talent and competition, Niemann’s spot in the Majors is no guarantee. The Chilean star is eligible for the Open Championship and probably will get an invite to the PGA Championship, the account further noted. It’s a ‘complete Joke’ wrote Flushing It Golf on their social media handle. 

Netizens, however, disagreed. They point out that Niemann joined the league knowing full well that his major chances are not guaranteed. The OWGR only confirmed the inevitable by not offering world-ranking points to LIV Golf.

Fans won’t miss Niemann on Majors

Twitteratti’s reaction to the historic feat is rather surprising, considering 59 is not what we see very often even in the PGA Tour. Regardless, taking a one-off achievement to bat for someone’s Major chances didn’t sit well with most fans. 

A long-standing criticism against LIV Golf has been it’s rather ‘easy’ for players to score big. This user voiced what many have said previously. 

One user said they don’t understand the hue and cry about LIV Golfers not being eligible in Majors. Niemann, Talor Gooch, and the like joined the upstart league knowing its long-term repercussions. 

One user pointed out that if Joaquin Niemann had performed better in last year’s Majors, we wouldn’t have been talking about this. Dubbing LIV Golf matches as ‘exhibitions’ they slammed the events for lacking competition.

The next tweet elaborated on what the former said. This user simply put up Niemann’s performances at the Majors last year. 

Another user commented along similar lines. Joaquin Niemann has been playing at DP World Tour events to bolster his Major chances. In his last three outings outside of LIV Golf, the 25-year-old has netted three top-five finishes including a victory at the Australian Open. 

Another golf fan said that this is just a one-off round at the first event of LIV 2024. Let’s not attach too much importance to this, seems to be their position.

Read More: ‘Incredible’: Joaquin Niemann Outshines Anthony Kim’s Legacy in a Gary Matthews Confession

If anything, it once again shows the division still exists between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The Tour has secured a $3 billion investment from Strategic Sports Group that will move them closer to the deal with PIF, the Saudi Sovereign Fund that bankrolls LIV Golf. However, fans are not convinced of LIV Golf’s impact on the game.

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