Joaquin Niemann admits his performances in the major championships have frustrated him but is confident that the results will come in golf’s biggest events.
Niemann has won five times in eleven LIV Golf events this season but has failed to carry that form into the major championships, registering one top-10 in his career and he missed the cut at the US Open and Open Championship this year.
The Chilean has been dubbed as a top five and top ten player in the world by his LIV peers but he has failed to live up to that billing despite his dominance on the Saudi backed circuit.
“I feel like there is nothing else to try. Yeah, it frustrated me a lot to not be playing good at the majors, you know, but I know I’m going to make it happen. I know I’m going to figure it out,” said Niemann who is set to clinch the season long individual honours.
“Yeah, I mean, obviously this is a game that’s really frustrating, and I think we all know that. Sometimes we take it personal, like the game is doing something against us.
“But I’m always going to — in the position I am I feel like I’m always going to learn something from every mistake and every bad result. Yeah, I’m patient so I know the results are going to come. I’m just going to wait for them.”
Two-time major winner Jon Rahm believes Niemann is deserving of a place in at least the top-10 in the world rankings. Even on Data Golf, Niemann is ranked 19th across all the strokes gained metrics and Rahm believes he is severely underrated.
“I think Joaquin is severely underrated. He’s one of the best players in the world and he keeps proving it. When it comes to his game he’s good at everything, right?
“Obviously has loads of confidence right now and taking advantage of that. It’s never easy to win. To do it multiple times, let alone five times in a season, is quite impressive.
“I’ve seen all those strokes gained rankings. I still don’t understand. He’s won five times here. How is he behind so many of us? I don’t know the numbers. I don’t know. My guess is obviously it’s majors, events outside of LIV that may be pushing him back. It’s not a true reflection. He is undoubtedly a top-10 player in the world right now. I’m saying at that conservatively.”
Niemann also believes he is worthy of a place in the top-10 in the world even if he can’t earn the ranking points necessary from LIV Golf.
Despite winning again, he has dropped three places to 98th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
“I feel like anywhere that I go if I play my best game I know I can win. I think that’s the only thing that kind of matters for me, is to find that A-game more often.
“But, yeah, I mean, it is what it is. I love golf. I love competing. I love working for improvement and try to find those improvements, and I feel like every time it’s harder and harder to find those small margins.
|Yeah, that’s what drives me. Yeah, I mean, I’m really looking forward for what’s coming for the end of the season.”
