Niemann taking free-flow approach as he seeks a major breakthrough

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – He’s arguably golf’s best player without a major. He’s certainly LIV Golf’s highest-ranking player without a major. So the clock seems to be ticking on Joaquin Niemann. Not only does he sense it from others, he expects it from himself – and this week’s PGA Championship offers his next opportunity to produce a breakthrough win and prove he belongs among the game’s elite players.

“I know it’s a bigger stage,” he said this week after finishing his work on the practice green at Quail Hollow Club. “I do put some extra pressure on myself.”

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Expectations are high for the Torque GC Captain, who has three wins among the first seven tournaments of the 2025 LIV Golf season, putting him atop the Individual Championship points standings. It’s the same spot he held for most of last season after his two early wins, only to be caught by Jon Rahm down the stretch. Niemann is determined not to let that happen.

He’s also determined to win a major, to fulfill all that promise currently contained in his slender yet powerful frame. Along with his five career LIV Golf victories, which ties Brooks Koepka for most of any player, Niemann has two other worldwide wins in the last 17 months. Despite all that success, he’s yet to satisfy those who want to see him contend for a major. Of his 23 major starts entering this week, he’s still looking for his first top-10 finish.

Some people forget, or perhaps just ignore, the fact that Niemann is still just 26 years old. He’s just now entering the phase of his career when most world-class players start to contend for majors, and he’s still a few years shy of the average age of recent first-time major winners.

Consider this: Beginning with Danny Willett’s win at the 2016 Masters, there have been 20 first-time major winners. Their average age is 30.25. Included on that list are Niemann’s fellow LIV Golf captains Dustin Johnson (31 when he won the 2016 U.S. Open), Henrik Stenson (40 when he won the 2016 Open), Sergio Garcia (37 when he won the 2017 Masters), Brooks Koepka (27 when he won the 2017 U.S. Open), Bryson DeChambeau (27 when he won the 2020 U.S. Open) and Jon Rahm (26 when he won the 2021 U.S. Open). Also on that list is Patrick Reed, who was 27 when he won the 2018 Masters.

Only three of those 20 first-timers were younger than Niemann’s current age. When Justin Thomas won the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in 2017, he was 24. Collin Morikawa was 23 when he won the 2020 PGA and Scottie Scheffler was 25 when he won the Masters three years ago.

It’s a process, and it’s not always easy or smooth. But for those who have seen and competed against Niemann the last couple of years, there’s no doubt what awaits him.

“I do believe Joaquin at some point in time will get a major,” said DeChambeau. “I think it’s just a matter of time. Not if I have anything to say about that, but he’s an incredible golfer, won a bunch on LIV. His form is incredible.

“It’s not easy to win in majors. It’s just a different elevation and feeling, and he’s young, so he’s got a lot of time.”

Niemann said he’s never entered a major in better form than he’s in right now.

At LIV Golf Adelaide in February, he rallied from three strokes down in the final round, shooting a final-round 65 (tying for the lowest score of the day) to win by three strokes.

His increased distance off the tee the last couple of years should pay dividends at a Quail Hollow course that demands length. His iron play remains spectacular, and he’s confident with his recovery shots whenever he does stray into trouble. His fairway bunker shot in the final round in Singapore exemplified his maturing game.

If there’s been one aspect he’s not completely happy with, it’s his putting between 8-15 feet. He hits it so close so often that he usually faces a number of those putts for birdie in a given round. On Tuesday, much of his work on the putting green was devoted to that distance.

“If I can make two more of those a day, I can be golden,” he smiled. “Feel like it’s a way I can take a little bit of advantage out of my game.”

Beyond the nuts and bolts, though, the challenge in taking the next step is more of a mental one. Dealing with the intense pressure of major championship golf. Dealing with self-expectations. Dealing with the desire to want something so much that it proves to be detrimental to simply maintaining focus on the task at hand.

“There is a likeness to it,” said DeChambeau. “I think he's a great successful player. There's still some learning to do. A lot of it's not really material. You can't really define exactly what it is until you get in that position enough times and you're comfortable enough and you do it.

“One of them being Sergio. Sergio was so close so many times and finally won the Masters.”

After returning from LIV Golf’s most recent event in Korea, Niemann took a few days off. Relaxed. Chilled. Minimal practice. “Took time for myself,” he explained. “Just wanted to feel as fresh as I can for this week.”

Even after arriving in Charlotte on Monday morning, he didn’t stress when rains essentially washed out his first practice day. He’s trying to let the majors come to him now instead of forcing the issue.

“I’m trying to find a way to feel free and just flow with my game,” he said. “I know if I can let that all go away, my game is there. I’ve just got to find that.”

If he finds it this week, the promise will be fulfilled. In fact, he’ll still be ahead of schedule.