Chile's Joaquin Niemann produced a scintillating opening round at the Olympic Golf Tournament as he chases after more than just a coveted gold medal. Niemann, currently the number one ranked player on the LIV Golf series, carded a blemish-free 5-under 66 to start just three shots off the early pace set by Japan's Hideki Matsuyama.
However, there is much more than national pride at stake for the 25-year old Niemann this week in Paris. As one of the top performers recruiting from the controversial Saudi-backed league, Niemann has endured frustration over his accomplishments gaining little recognition from golf's traditional governing bodies. But an Olympic title could change that, securing spots for Niemann in all four major championships in 2025 - exemptions not otherwise available to LIV players.
Chile's Joaquin Niemann made a good start to his Olympic challenge (Emmanuel DUNAND / AFP)
Read more: Olympics Golf Preview: What You Need to Know About the Men's Tournament in Paris
When asked about the potential major spots on offer with Olympic glory, Niemann was careful not to get ahead of himself. "Obviously I'm trying to win and whatever comes after that, it comes," said Niemann, insisting his focus remains squarely on capturing gold for his country. “I'm here just to have a good week and enjoy that and we'll see what it brings after that.
“If you didn’t have those four majors (exemptions) for a win, I would have the same intensity. I will have the same motivation to win. I feel like this is the Olympics and got to focus more on winning medals than winning my way into the majors.”
But with two individual LIV events still remaining, Niemann also leads their season-long points race by a narrow margin. An Olympic victory would end any doubt over his standing at the season's conclusion.
“It does feel a little different,” Niemann said. “I grew up representing my country and using these colors and having my flag on my side. So it does feel like back in the day when I was able to play for my country and with teammates. It does feel like back then. It does feel more special than any other golf tournament.”
Niemann's steady excellence this year is a product of years of toil strengthening his reputation as one of the game's most exciting young talents. After breaking through for his first PGA TOUR victory at the pandemic-delayed 2020 Sentry Tournament of Champions, Niemann has since added two LIV titles to his resume in 2024. He will hope to add a career-defining Olympic gold to the mix this week in Paris.
“I feel like it's what I do and I feel like right now, there's a little bit of a crisis and things that have to be fixed,” Niemann said. “I just play another week of golf and try to earn my way into the majors, and that's what I did last year.”
Stay tuned to Golfaq.com for full coverage of Joaquin Niemann's bid for history at Le Golf National, with the stakes higher than perhaps any other player as the medals and majors are very much in the 25-year old's sights.
“It was a good start,” Niemann said. “I played solid for the whole day. My problem is two tee shots on the last two holes but other than that it was a great day. Gave myself a lot of chances, hit good iron shots. Good day.”
¡A SEGUIR ASÍ! 😎🧨
— Team Chile (@TeamChile_COCH) August 1, 2024
Los golfistas Joaquín Niemann y Guillermo Pereira tuvieron un favorable arranque en @paris2024 🇫🇷: Joaquín marcha tercero (-5) y “Mito”, 21º (-2).
Mañana vuelven a los fairway de Le Golf National para seguir encumbrados arriba 🙌🏻. Guillermo pegará primero… pic.twitter.com/73JDBCyZ7a
References: https://www.si.com/golf/liv-golf-joaquin-niemann-olympic-gold-more-is-at-stake
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