Joaquin Niemann was handed an invite to this year’s Masters amid his hot start to the season, and the Chilean believes he has what it takes to compete for the green jacket.
Joaquin Niemann, the talented golfer from LIV Golf, is feeling extremely confident after receiving an invitation to participate in the prestigious Masters tournament this April. Along with other LIV stars, Niemann’s world ranking has suffered a decline since switching to the Saudi tour. However, his ranking drop has garnered significant attention, as he criticized the Official World Golf Ranking for being ‘unfair’ upon his return to the DP World Tour last month.
Previously ranked among the top 20 players, Niemann now finds himself outside the top 80. In an effort to accumulate crucial ranking points, he has recently competed in the PGA Tour of Australasia, DP World Tour, and Asian Tour.
The Torque GC captain had a clear goal in mind – to break back into the top-50 and secure a spot at the upcoming Masters. However, his worries were put to rest when he received a special invitation from Augusta National. The exemption came as a pleasant surprise while Niemann was competing in the Asian Tour event at the International Series in Oman.
Among the 21 LIV stars eager to earn OWGR points despite the breakaway league’s ranking snub, Niemann expressed his excitement upon hearing the news. “I am thrilled with this opportunity. Augusta National is a course I truly admire, and I understand the importance of hitting well off the tee and achieving good distance,” he shared.
With his recent victories at the Australian Open and LIV Mayakoba, Niemann’s season has kicked off to a strong start.
And with three more LIV events on the horizon before the journey to Augusta, the 25-year-old is feeling optimistic about his chances of competing for the prestigious green jacket in April. “I’m really excited for the next three weeks,” he mentioned while participating in the competition in Oman. “They will provide me with valuable preparation for what lies ahead.
“I believe in my abilities and I’m determined to perform well. Of course, I can’t predict the outcome, but I’ll give it my all out there.” Niemann’s invitation to the Masters was officially confirmed on Wednesday, alongside two DP World Tour stars, Thorbjorn Olesen and Ryo Hisatsune.
Chairman of Augusta National Golf, Fred Ridley, stated, “The Masters Tournament has a longstanding tradition of inviting top international players who may not otherwise qualify. Today’s announcement demonstrates the tournament’s ongoing commitment to fostering interest in the game of golf worldwide. We eagerly anticipate welcoming each player to Augusta National this spring.”
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