What Happened to Joaquín Niemann Zenteno?
Joaquín Niemann is a Chilean professional golfer who rose to prominence as the world's top amateur before achieving two PGA Tour victories. He joined the LIV Golf League in 2022, where he has become one of its most successful players, accumulating eight individual titles and being named the 2025 LIV Golf MVP. Niemann continues to compete globally, including in major championships, though his 2026 U.S. Open campaign was marked by a two-stroke penalty for misconduct.
Quick Answer
Joaquín Niemann is a leading professional golfer currently competing in the LIV Golf League, where he captains Torque GC and holds the record for most individual wins with eight. He recently secured his first victory of the 2026 season at LIV Golf Korea in May and qualified for The Open Championship. However, his 2026 U.S. Open appearance in June was notable for a two-stroke penalty assessed for 'serious misconduct' after throwing a club. Niemann remains a prominent figure in professional golf, balancing his LIV Golf commitments with appearances in major tournaments.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
World's No. 1 Amateur Golfer
Joaquín Niemann held the top spot in the World Amateur Golf Ranking for 44 consecutive weeks.
Awarded Mark H. McCormack Medal
Recognized as the top-ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking at the end of the championship season.
Wins Latin America Amateur Championship & Turns Professional
Niemann secured a spot in the Masters by winning the Latin America Amateur Championship, then turned professional after the Masters, forfeiting exemptions to other majors.
First PGA Tour Victory
Won A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier, becoming the first Chilean PGA Tour winner and the youngest international winner since 1923.
Second PGA Tour Victory
Won the prestigious Genesis Invitational, hosted by Tiger Woods, by two strokes.
Joins LIV Golf League
Niemann announced his move to LIV Golf and was named captain of the Torque GC team.
Wins ISPS Handa Australian Open
Secured a victory at the co-sanctioned European Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia event.
Shoots 59 and Wins LIV Golf Mayakoba
Niemann shot a historic 12-under-par 59 in the first round and went on to win his first individual LIV Golf title in a playoff.
Wins PIF Saudi International
Claimed victory on the Asian Tour, also winning the International Series Order of Merit.
LIV Golf MVP and 5 Wins
Niemann had an exceptional year on LIV Golf, winning five individual events and being named the 2025 LIV Golf League MVP, finishing second in the season-long individual standings.
Wins LIV Golf Korea
Secured his first individual LIV Golf victory of the 2026 season, marking his eighth career LIV title, the most by any player.
Qualifies for The Open Championship
Niemann qualified for The Open Championship by being among the top players in the LIV Golf individual season standings.
Receives Two-Stroke Penalty at U.S. Open
Niemann was assessed a two-stroke penalty for 'serious misconduct' after throwing his club on the 6th hole during the first round of the U.S. Open.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Joaquín Niemann's journey in professional golf began after a stellar amateur career, where he held the number one position in the World Amateur Golf Ranking for 44 weeks from May 2017 to April 2018. He turned professional in 2018, quickly making an impact on the PGA Tour. His first PGA Tour victory came in September 2019 at A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier, making him the first Chilean to win on the tour and the youngest international PGA Tour winner since 1923.
A significant turning point in Niemann's career occurred in August 2022 when he announced his move to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League. This decision, driven by substantial financial incentives and the opportunity for a new team-based format, saw him become the captain of the Torque GC team. His transition to LIV Golf was swift, with a runner-up finish in his debut event. While his move to LIV Golf initially impacted his Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) due to the league's lack of ranking points, Niemann continued to receive special invitations to major championships based on his performance and standing.
Niemann's tenure with LIV Golf has been marked by remarkable success. In 2024, he started the season sensationally, including a historic round of 59 at LIV Golf Mayakoba, which he went on to win. He continued his winning ways in 2025, securing five individual titles and being named the LIV Golf League's Most Valuable Player, finishing second in the season-long individual standings. His consistent high-level play on LIV Golf has solidified his reputation as one of the league's top talents.
As of 2026, Niemann continues to be a dominant force on the LIV Golf circuit. In May 2026, he clinched his first individual title of the season at LIV Golf Korea, marking his eighth career LIV Golf victory, the most by any player in the league's history. This win, alongside other strong performances, helped him secure a spot in The Open Championship.
However, his 2026 major championship season has not been without controversy. During the first round of the U.S. Open in June 2026, Niemann was assessed a two-stroke penalty for "serious misconduct" after throwing his club in frustration on the sixth hole. This incident, which occurred after hitting two tee shots out of bounds, resulted in an '11' on the par-4 hole. Despite the penalty, Niemann demonstrated resilience by shooting a 5-under 65 in the second round to make the cut. As of June 21, 2026, Niemann is ranked 78th in the Official World Golf Ranking and remains a key figure in the ongoing narrative of professional golf's evolving landscape.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Joaquín Niemann Zenteno made different choices?