Joaquin Niemann’s dominance on the LIV Golf setup continued on Sunday with a third win of the year in Mexico City, with victory confirming his spot at the U.S. Open
Joaquin Niemann is heading to the U.S. Open(Image: Getty Images)
Joaquin Niemann has become the first player to qualify for a major championship via LIV Golf, after his victory in Mexico City secured him a place in June’s U.S. Open.
Niemann chased down Bryson DeChambeau in Sunday’s final round, carding a six-under-par 65 on day three to win the event by three shots. The Chilean has been a dominant force on the LIV setup in 2025, having won three of the opening six events of the year, with his previous two wins coming in Singapore and Adelaide.
It leaves him on top of the league standings, and means he takes the one spot on offer at the U.S. Open, after the USGA offered the breakaway circuit a place in the third major of the year.
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The player not already exempt to compete at Oakmont and in the top three of the standings by the end of qualification is handed the spot. And with Niemann now unable to be caught by those behind him, he is the man who has taken advantage of the qualifying place.
Prior to his win on Sunday, Niemann’s team had been encouraging him to enter 36-hole qualifying to book his U.S. Open spot, but he had other ideas. “My team was asking me to sign up for the qualifier and the sectional, and I wasn’t really into that,” he told reporters in Mexico.
“So more than anything, I’m grateful that I’m not playing 36 holes on a Monday after a tournament. Yeah, I’m pretty happy.” It is a monumental moment for both Niemann and the LIV league, which have battled for recognition from the four majors since their inception three years ago.
Joaquin Niemann won in Mexico(Image: Getty Images)
Their route into the flagship events was proving to be the main kink in the LIV armor, with their events continuing to go ahead without Official World Golf Ranking points, as their members tumbled down the ranking list. Niemann, however, does not need to worry about his No. 83 ranking for now, with the Chilean now set to play in all four majors in 2025.
The Torque GC captain earned a place at this month’s Masters after his form on the breakaway circuit was recognized with an invite from Augusta National bosses. The same olive branch was then offered into the PGA Championship next month, whilst Sunday’s win booked him a trip to Oakmont a month later.
He will also play the final major of the year at The Open in July, having finished in the top-25 of the Race to Dubai standings in 2024, after a string of impressive showings on the DP World Tour last season. Unsurprisingly, Niemann’s confidence is high after yet another victory.
“Yeah, it’s nice,” he said in Mexico of securing his major status. “I feel like I wanted to be there, so yeah, it’s great to keep doing what I’m doing, hitting the ball great, making putts, and yeah, hopefully keep it rolling.”
