Joaquin Niemann of Chile was headed to Boston on Monday for the following LIV Golf occasion, which might give the Saudi-funded league its youngest PGA Tour winner because it fills out its roster for the remainder of the inaugural season.
“Going but has not signed it yet,” Carlos Rodriguez, his supervisor at GSE Worldwide, mentioned in a textual content to The Associated Press.
The 23-year-old Niemann, who’s No. 19 on the planet rating, was probably the most distinguished identify talked about in numerous studies over the weekend to go away the PGA Tour. The most notable was British Open champion Cameron Smith, which The Daily Telegraph reported three weeks in the past.
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy led a non-public assembly amongst prime gamers on Aug. 17 in the course of the BMW Championship wherein they mentioned a brand new match mannequin for the PGA Tour. Niemann took half in that assembly, and he can be the one one of many 23 gamers in attendance to defect.
The transfer wouldn’t be a shock, principally as a result of Niemann’s closest buddies in golf have already got joined LIV Golf. Sergio Garcia is a mentor. Carlos Ortiz of Mexico is his finest buddy in golf they usually usually keep in the identical home and convey their very own chef.
Niemann had been considering a suggestion because the begin of the 12 months. But early plans for the rival league had been stalled in February with Phil Mickelson’s derogatory feedback in regards to the Saudis and the PGA Tour, even saying his finish sport was to get leverage for change.
And then the Chilean gained the Genesis Invitational at Riviera — Woods offered him the trophy — and Niemann mentioned, “Winning a PGA Tour event, getting a trophy, having Tiger there, all the history behind it, there’s nothing that can compete with this.”
But this determination largely was about his life on the highway together with his buddies.
Rodriguez had instructed the AP on Sunday at East Lake that Niemann listened within the participant assembly after which thought-about the adjustments approaching the PGA Tour beginning subsequent 12 months, akin to a mannequin that might deliver collectively the most effective in golf as much as 17 instances a 12 months to compete for $20 million purses.
He mentioned Niemann would speak it over together with his father on Sunday evening after which resolve. The Telegraph reported that his signing bonus can be the $100 million vary. Most of the LIV contracts are mentioned to be over three or 4 years.
Also leaving for LIV are Harold Varner, Cameron Tringale, Marc Leishman and Anirban Lahiri.
Niemann would add to the rising checklist of gamers who’ve given up on the Presidents Cup on Sept. 22-25 at Quail Hollow. Abraham Ancer and Louis Oosthuizen have already got performed LIV golf occasions. Niemann and Smith had been among the many eight qualifiers.
Leishman and Lahiri have beforehand performed for the International crew, although neither had certified this 12 months due to their play.
International Captain Trevor Immelman is to announce his 4 wild-card picks on Sept. 6.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”