A New Spin on Golf: Niemann's Take on LIV Golf and Major Performance
Joaquin Niemann Expresses Confidence in His Performance at US Open, Citing LIV Tournament as Key Factor
The question of whether LIV Golf's lighter schedule might impact a player's performance at the Majors has sparked debates. But Joaquin Niemann, an elite striker on the tour, asserts that it's helping him excel in golf's four prestigious events.
Niemann, who boasts three LIV Golf victories this year, recently clinched his first ever top 10 at the PGA Championship, his 24th Major appearance. Acknowledging the criticisms that a lighter LIV schedule may cause players to lack battle hardiness for the Majors, Niemann, as he prepares for the US Open at Oakmont, insists it's proving beneficial for him.
"Playing on LIV, I genuinely feel it's aiding me to deliver better performances in Majors," he said. "I feel more refreshed." Traveling slightly farther for certain events, Niemann condemns any fatigue, emphasizing his focus on recovery and preparation.
Niemann uses the upcoming LIV Golf Virginia event as a case in point, as Robert Trent Jones Golf Club is set up remarkably like Oakmont and is close to next week's US Open venue, offering an ideal warm-up.
Comparing his schedule to that of others, Niemann points to Scottie Scheffler, who played several tournaments before and after the PGA Championship. While Scheffler has undeniably been playing exceptional golf, Niemann notes that the heavy schedule might have drained his energy.
Counterarguments suggest that the lighter LIV schedule might primarily benefit self-motivated and disciplined players while not translating into better results at traditional stroke-play Majors for everyone. For example, Bryson DeChambeau has seen his performance at the Majors improve since joining LIV, but others like Jon Rahm and Dustin Johnson have experienced varying results in the Majors.
As golf fans gear up for the US Open, the verdict remains uncertain. Niemann, however, is confident that his approach to the LIV schedule is paying off, and he's looking forward to putting himself in contention on the back nine, managing his patience, and taking advantage of odds at the Majors.
In light of the ongoing debates about the impact of LIV Golf's lighter schedule on performance at the Majors, Joaquin Niemann, who has triumphed in three LIV Golf events this year and achieved his first top 10 at the PGA Championship, maintains that the LIV schedule is aiding his performance in golf's prestigious Major tournaments, citing his improved refreshment as a key benefit. Additionally, Niemann compares his strategy with that of Scottie Scheffler, arguing that a lighter LIV schedule might provide energy conservation, a factor that could potentially translate into better Majors' results for self-motivated and disciplined players like himself.
