Joaquin Niemann, Chile's "golf hero," claimed victory at LIV Golf Korea (total prize money $30 million) in a playoff.
Niemann shot a 3-under 67 with four birdies and one bogey in the final round at Asiad Country Club (par 70) in Busan on Sunday. Finishing at 12-under 268 to tie with Taylor Gooch of the United States, Niemann prevailed in the playoff.
Adding a win for the first time in about 11 months since LIV Golf United Kingdom last July, Niemann captured his first victory of the season and his eighth career LIV Golf title. Eight wins is the most on the LIV Golf circuit. The winner's purse was $4 million (approximately 6.03 billion won).
Niemann became the first Chilean player to win on the PGA Tour at the 2019 Military Tribute. After collecting two PGA Tour wins, he moved his stage to LIV Golf in 2022.
The day's contest unfolded as a match-play battle between Niemann and Gooch. Starting as co-leaders, the two traded four birdies apiece through the eighth hole in a fierce showdown. Niemann moved one stroke ahead when Gooch made bogey on the par-4 ninth, but Gooch sank an approximately 8-meter birdie putt on the par-3 16th to pull even again.
With the matter unresolved through the final hole, the two went to a playoff. On the first extra hole at the par-4 18th, Niemann stuck his second shot to within a meter and converted the birdie to end the long duel. Gooch made bogey.
Bryson DeChambeau of the United States shaved off five strokes to finish third at 11-under. Dustin Johnson of the United States placed fourth at 10-under, and Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe came in fifth at 9-under. Among Korean players, Song Young-han posted the best result, tied for 12th at 6-under.
LIV Golf has faced funding difficulties after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which had been providing financial backing, decided to halt its investment. Foreign media reports have recently suggested that LIV Golf is even considering filing for bankruptcy. However, the LIV Golf Korea event was widely regarded as a commercial success in Busan, drawing large galleries from the opening day.
