Joaquín Niemann: LIV Golf tempts the Chilean star with his millions

At the end of millions of dollars, the LIV Golf has progressed at an impressive speed in recent months. What seemed like a distant project for PGA players, has today become the big threat to the American Tour, taking big numbers without sparing any money and with tournaments doling out record numbers, reaching 25 million dollars per event. Or by winning over big stars, like the legendary Phil Mickelson, who was lured in with a $200,000,000 bonus, half of which was paid upfront. They also tried unsuccessfully to add Tiger Woods, who was presented with a stratospheric offer over US$700 million.

But the Saudi super league crane not only points to the numbers with the most moves, but also the emerging ones. And in this group is Joaquín Niemann. At 23, the native of Talagan already holds two PGA titles, is currently 19th in the world and is one of the golfers with the greatest international projection. In addition, He is the best Latin American and his figure represents great potential when it comes to opening the South American market, compelling reasons to be tempted by a large offer to join as confirmed Jock.

“Nothing to say about me. I want to do my best to beat all these guys (pointing to the training area). They’re still there and as long as they’re there, I’m not going anywhere. No possibility (…). What if I was 40? It might be different.” , declared Joaco consulted last June, in preparation for the US Open. However, with the passing of the months, the arrival of more PGA figures and the conviction of the fledgling super league to add it, the scenario is completely different and Today, he is seriously considering the possibility. Of course, today his mind is on the three FedEx Cup playoff tournaments, which close the season. therefore any decision taken in this regard will be communicated at the end of the month, once the playoffs are over, according to the same sources consulted.

On the other hand, the figure of the Spaniard Sergio García also influences, who has been a sort of godfather to the talagantino since its inception and they shared an agent. The Hispanic tried to recruit the main Latin players from the start and since February he had been planning his departure from the PGA. Some messages between him and Greg Norman, CEO of LIV Golf, have recently leaked where they talked about the benefits of membership and also the fear of some, especially the younger ones. “I just wanted to see how things are going with the League because It seems like a lot of those guys who loved it and were excited about it last week are now shitting their pants.” confessed El Niño to the Australian, in the face of American threats.

Months later, the Mexicans Carlos Ortiz and Abraham Ancer joined the native team of Borrol, where another Spaniard also appears, Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra. They form the Fireballs GC, of ​​which Garcia is the captain. In additionOrtiz and López-Chacarra train with Eduardo Miquel, Joaco’s coach. And even the Chilean coach accompanied them to the events. Asked by this media about the possible departure of Niemann, he comments: “I don’t know anything about it yet.”

In addition to Joaco, there are several names that are seduced by the new circuit, such as Cameron Smith, Patrick Cantlay, Tommy Fletwood and Xander Schauele among other top 50. And, even, some of them would have already concluded the agreement, but they would also formalize it at the end of the playoffs.

One of the most complex situations in the dispute between the PGA and the LIV is related to tournament eligibility, since the former has permanently closed the doors to all those who have decided to go to the circuit financed by the Fund. Saudi public investment. This means that they will be left without the possibility of accessing the tournaments that earn the highest number of points for the world ranking, which, in the case of Niemann, this would even cast doubt on his presence at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Likewise, his presence at the future majors It would also be questioned if there is no agreement between the circuits. The only way to add units would be to play tournaments on the Asian Tour.

Without going any further, it is the marginalized golfers themselves who have continued the conflict. In recent days, the Australian Matt Jones and the Americans Talor Gooch and Hudson Swafford have filed an appeal to play in the first of the FedEx Cup playoff events, the St. Jude Championship, which kicked off Thursday in Memphis. However, Judge Beth Labson Freeman determined that all three players were aware of the possible consequences of joining the LIV circuit and therefore denied the claim.

At the same time, there is a lawsuit that was originally filed by 11 personalities against the PGA, alleging that they were unjustly suspended and that the Tour used all of its monopoly power to crush their opposition. The body, for its part, argued that it is an entity that has rules and regulations that players choose to agree to. The plaintiffs include Mickelson himself and Bryson DeChambeau as well as Ancer and Ortiz. However, the latter dropped out, so the number was reduced to 10.

In any case, among the golfers themselves, there is hope that the two circuits will manage to coexist and thus avoid a fratricidal war in a sport which concentrates more and more followers. For the moment, the tension is maximum.