Joaquin Niemann pulled off an incredible finish at the Saudi International, winning a nail-biting playoff with a perfect lob shot that landed just a foot from the hole.
The Chilean star topped Cameron Smith and Caleb Surrat on the second playoff hole, marking his first tournament win in nine months.
It almost slipped away from him at the end. Niemann and Surrat both stumbled with bogeys on the 18th hole, while Smith made a spectacular charge with a sizzling 62 to force the three-way playoff.
The drama wasn’t over yet. All three players traded birdies on the first extra hole, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
But Niemann sealed the deal with that masterful lob shot when it mattered most, after both Smith and Surrat missed their birdie attempts.
It’s been quite a year for the 25-year-old Niemann. This victory in Saudi Arabia is his third win of 2023, adding to his two earlier triumphs in the LIV Golf League.
The win couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s likely to push him into the world’s top 75 ranked players – his first big victory outside LIV since winning the Australian Open last year.
That ranking boost could prove crucial, as it strengthens his case for a special invitation to the Masters, one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments.
To cap it all off, Niemann also claimed the top spot in the Asian Tour’s International Series rankings, finishing ahead of Peter Uihlein and Ben Campbell.
