LIV Golf star who brutally sacked caddie and coach secures lucrative £3m payout
Joaquin Niemann won the LIV Golf UK title on Sunday after firing his coach and caddie. Having failed to make the cut at The Open Championship a little over a week ago, Niemann bounced back with a vengeance at JCB Golf and Country Club.
The Torque GC captain shot an impressive six-under-par 66 in the opening round and bettered that with a 64 on Saturday. Sunday saw the star hit a weekend high round of 68, but was still able to finish three strokes clear of runner-up Bubba Watson with a total score of 17-under.
Following his disappointment last Friday, the Chilean golfer made several changes before arriving at JCB last week. In a significant move, Niemann recently parted ways with his long-time caddie, Gary Matthews, and coach, Eduardo Miquel, reports the Irish Star.
Reflecting on the changes within his team after his second round on Saturday, Niemann said: "I'd say it's been a little weird the last two, three weeks. There have obviously been a few movements on my team.
"At the same time, it is what it is. I'm really grateful for them, for the two people that they are not working with me anymore on the team, but it's part of it.
"I feel like I was pretty frustrated at the beginning of this week after a bad result, obviously, at The Open as well, and all the rest kind of going on. I feel like... not low, but I wasn't, like, going on the golf course going into this week, I wasn't feeling that confident at all.
"I think it was just keep doing the same work that I'm used to and keep working with my team and why we work every time, stay positive with myself."
Niemann has been streets ahead of his rivals on the LIV circuit, securing five wins in 11 outings this season. And his win on Sunday in Rocester landed him an impressive £2.9million payday for his efforts.
Having recorded just one bogey across his opening six holes, Niemann's recent behind-the-scenes tweaks seem to have caused no harm to his bid for the league's individual title in 2025, keeping him ahead of Jon Rahm.
Speaking about his victory in the UK, Niemann said: "Obviously I want to win the season. I think there is a lot of golf to play yet. Jon, we know how good of a player he is, also Bryson [DeChambeau].
"There is not much I can think about other than worry about what I'm doing, how I can improve and get better and play my best golf for the next two weeks. I feel like that's all I'm worrying about right now."
Two singles events remain on the LIV Golf calendar this season. The breakaway circuit lands at the Bolingbrook Golf Club for LIV Golf Chicago between August 8 and 10, before LIV Golf Indianapolis plays out at The Club at Chatham Hills a week later.
The LIV Golf Team Championship then takes place at The Cardinal at Saint John's, Michigan, between August 22 and 24.
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