Joaquin Niemann has played all over the world since joining LIV Golf, where he cannot earn crucial Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. He figured he could play enough events on the DP World Tour or Asian Tour, where points are awarded, to ultimately find his way into major championship fields.
This approach paid off last year, as Augusta National and the PGA of America invited Niemann to participate in the first two majors of the year. He also qualified for The Open at Royal Troon in July, thanks to his victory at the ISPS Handa Australian Open last year.
So after playing at the Australian Open again last week, in which he tied for fifth, Niemann immediately hopped on a plane and flew to Saudi Arabia for this week’s PIF Saudi International. Through 54 holes, he holds a one-shot advantage over Americans Caleb Surratt and Peter Uihlein. Niemann shot a 6-under 65 on Saturday to take the solo lead by himself. But after doing so, the Chilean cracked a hilarious joke about his world travels.
“No, I’ve got great status on those airlines now, so they like me,” Niemann said when asked if jet lag and traversing the globe had taken a toll.
“I’m prepared. It is a little bit tiring, but I feel like after giving all my hundred percent on those weeks where it’s a little bit harder, it makes me feel — it makes me think about vacations and knowing I’ll enjoy them a lot more giving my hundred percent on those weeks.”
Over the past month, Niemann has played in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Melbourne, and now he is in Riyadh. His worst finish during that stretch came at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, where he tied for 23rd. Now, he has a chance to pick up his first professional win since March. He won LIV Golf Jeddah then.
As for how he is preparing for the final round, Niemann is making no changes to his approach.
“Same as every day,” Niemann said.
“Try to go out there and have fun.”
Perhaps that is why he can crisscross the globe so easily.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
