What is the identity of the caddie for Joaquin Niemann?
Joaquin Niemann Switches Caddies Ahead of LIV Golf UK Tournament
Joaquin Niemann, the Chilean professional golfer, has made a significant change to his team ahead of the LIV Golf UK tournament. The 24-year-old has parted ways with his longtime caddie, Gary Matthews, and has enlisted the services of a new caddie, Diego Salinas.
Salinas, a fellow professional golfer on the Chilean Golf Tour, is not only a friend of Niemann but also brings valuable caddying experience to the table. This isn't Salinas' first foray into caddying, having worked with a number of players in the past.
Niemann thanked Matthews during LIV Golf UK, acknowledging the role he played in his success. However, the split came as a surprise, given Niemann's strong performance on the LIV Golf tour in 2025, where he won multiple times and earned over $17 million. The change appears to be related to Niemann's frustration with missing cuts at major championships, rather than Matthews’ performance.
With Salinas on the bag, Niemann had a strong showing at LIV Golf UK, further indicating that the change may be beneficial for the young golfer. The permanency of Salinas as Niemann's caddie is not yet confirmed.
Matthews, who had been with Niemann since the 2020 US Open, has previously worked with a number of high-profile golfers, including Sergio Garcia, Trevor Immelman, Anthony Kim, Luke Donald, Charl Schwartzel, Lydia Ko, and Minjee Lee.
Niemann's changes in team do not stop with a new caddie. His long-time coach, Eduardo Miquel, has also left his team. The exact reasons for these changes are not specified, but Niemann has expressed feelings of frustration after a bad result at a recent tournament.
Despite these changes, Niemann and his revamped team are poised to make a strong impact on the LIV Golf circuit. Having won six titles together on the LIV Golf circuit, Niemann and Matthews had experienced great success, and it remains to be seen if Salinas can help Niemann continue this winning streak.
Sources:
- ESPN
- Golf Digest
- Golf.com
- The Guardian
Joaquin Niemann, in the midst of his preparations for the LIV Golf UK tournament, decided to swap his caddie, opting for the experienced Diego Salinas instead of his longtime partner Gary Matthews. During the tournament, Niemann, a desirable presence on the golf course, showcased his prowess with Salinas as his caddie, hinting towards a potentially successful partnership.