21 February 2024 , 16:18
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The Masters have given LIV Golf player Joaquin Niemann an invitation to play in the first major of the year.
The tournament has a tradition of inviting players from overseas who are not part of the PGA Tour or do not meet the other necessary criteria, such as winning or reaching the Tour Championship. The 25-year-old joined LIV in August 2022, but he has not fallen outside of the top 50 as those who play on the Saudi-backed circuit are not awarded ranking points.
Niemann, was No. 18 in the world when he joined LIV two years ago, but the player is now down at No. 81. Therefore his willingness to play tournaments outside of LIV to earn ranking points, in addition to his victory at the Australian Open in December 2023, meant The Masters invited the Chilean to compete for the Green Jacket in April.
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"The Masters Tournament has a long-standing tradition of inviting leading international players who are not otherwise qualified," Masters chairman Fred Ridley said. "Today's announcement represents the tournament's continued commitment towards developing interest in the game of golf across the world."
Along with Niemann Ryo Hisatsune, 21, the first Japanese player to be named European tour rookie of the year, and Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen received special invitations to compete at Augusta, Georgia. After Niemann won the Australian Open, he finished fifth in the Australian PGA as his search for ranking points went further afield.
He also came fourth in January’s Dubai Desert Classic, won by Rory McIlroy. The former World No. 15 began his third LIV season by clinching the title in Mayakoba, Mexico, his first on the circuit. He defeated former Masters champion Sergio García in a playoff after registering a birdie on the fourth extra hole to start the season in the best possible way.
Joaquin Niemann has falling in the world rankings (Getty Images)After his win, Niemann spoke of his disappointment at not being eligible for majors due to his ranking spot and doing all he could to earn his spot back in the sport’s most prestigious events. "I want to win majors, but I've got to get in first,” he said.
"It kind of hurt me a little bit not being in the majors and I think also helped me to get the motivation to kind of earn my spot back into the majors, into the elite players." Commenting on his performance, he added: "I was more excited than anything to start the season, to start playing on LIV and start playing for my teammates. I was just excited to get started. I think this is the best way to get started."
During his last Masters appearance in 2023, which was his fourth appearance, Niemann tied for 16th while Jon Rham went on to win the event for the first time. Niemann will hope to make the most of his invitation and have a strong showing at The Masters.