Joaquín Niemann arrives in Chicago as the leader of the individual standings of LIV Golf with over 200 points and five victories under his belt this season. Despite the great form he is in, the Chilean remains grounded: “I don’t know if it’s momentum or not. I feel like I just have to keep doing what I’ve been doing,” he said this Wednesday at the official pre-tournament press conference. In a calm yet ambitious tone, the captain of the Torque GC made it clear that he is not obsessed with the result but focuses on the process: “I have to commit to my shots, give 100% in practice rounds, and mentally prepare for the tournament”.
The memory of the previous edition of the event at the Bolingbrook Golf Club, where he finished second, is still present, but Niemann is confident he has learned from that experience: “I don’t want it to end the same as last year. I’m doing everything possible to change that, but at the end of the day, I can’t force things to go my way. I just have to go out and play golf, which is what I love”. Facing the possibility of a new duel with Jon Rahm, he praised the Spaniard, his main rival in the overall circuit: “I know how good a player Jon is. He’s probably the most consistent in the world.” He also acknowledged his surprise at how tight the battle for the title is: “I’m a bit surprised to have to fend off someone who hasn’t won this year”.
“Jon is probably the most consistent in the world; I’m a bit surprised to have to fend off someone who hasn’t won this year”
Despite his dominance in victories, Niemann highlighted how challenging it is to maintain consistency throughout the season: “Anyone can win, but being consistent every week is the hardest thing in this sport. You have to have all parts of your game in shape”. In that sense, he sees Rahm as a role model. He also reflected on his love for golf and what it represents in his life: “This game builds character. It forces you to trust yourself in uncomfortable situations. In a way, it’s a form of self-love”.
Finally, the Chilean spoke about his goals, which are not just based on results but on attitude and mindset: “My goals are more focused on how I conduct myself on the course and having the right mindset. I know that if I do that, good things will come”. Regarding his recent success, he jokingly replied: “Are others tired of seeing me win? I don’t care. I’d love to keep doing it”. At 26, Niemann seems more prepared than ever to close the season as the great dominator of LIV Golf in 2025… with Jon Rahm‘s permission.
