Advertisement

LIV Golf Singapore: Niemann eyes automatic US Open spot and second title of the season

Joaquin Niemann and Dustin Johnson tied for lead in Singapore. The player top of LIV standings on April 7 gets automatic entry to US Open

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Joaquin Niemann lines up a putt during the second round of LIV Golf Singapore. Photo: Reuters

There will be more on Joaquin Niemann’s mind in Singapore on Sunday than just winning a second LIV title in three tournaments.

Advertisement

Victory would most likely send the Torque captain to the top of the individual standings, and the player in that position on April 7 will get automatic entry to this year’s US Open, the one major Niemann has not yet qualified for.

The top 10 players will be exempt from local qualifying and instead go straight into the final 36-hole qualifier for the tournament at Oakmont Country Club in June.

Several LIV golfers are already in the field, with 2014 champion Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson all exempt.

“I want to obviously win the tournament, and then I think all the rest will pay for itself,” Niemann said. “But it’s definitely on my mind that there’s a spot for the US Open, which I’m not in.

Advertisement

“Yeah, it would be nice to have a good Sunday and have that opportunity to go past Sergio [Garcia] and have that lead. I feel like I’m still a few weeks away from that qualifier cut, so this definitely will help.”

Dustin Johnson is chasing a first win since February last year. Photo: Reuters
Dustin Johnson is chasing a first win since February last year. Photo: Reuters
loading
Advertisement