Why Joaquin Niemann Rules LIV Golf but Flops in Majors

In the fast-evolving world of golf, Joaquin Niemann is a walking paradox—a 26-year-old Chilean superstar who’s torching LIV Golf with jaw-dropping dominance yet can’t catch a break in the majors. His latest triumph, a fifth win of 2025 at LIV Golf UK, has fans buzzing, but his major struggles remain a head-scratcher. The 54 Golf podcast, hosted by Aaron alongside Cheech and Jay, tackles this burning question in their episode, “Why Joaco Rules LIV but Fails Majors.” [Spotify: 54 Golf Podcast Episode 152].

What You’ll Learn in This Post

• Why Joaquin Niemann dominates LIV Golf with five wins in 2025

• Key reasons he struggles in major championships

• Insights from the 54 Golf podcast’s latest episode

• How Niemann’s career trajectory could shape his major future

Niemann’s LIV Golf Dominance: A Tiger-Like Tear

Joaquin Niemann is rewriting LIV Golf history. His fifth win of 2025 at LIV Golf UK—a 17-under 196 that dusted Bubba Watson by three strokes—marks a 45% win rate (5/11 events), a stat Aaron drops on the 54 Golf podcast that mirrors Tiger Woods’ iconic 2000 season (9/20 events). “He’s not Tiger Woods,” Aaron says, “because he can’t even sniff a major.” Niemann’s seven LIV wins since 2024 make him the league’s all-time leader, and with a 39-point edge over Jon Rahm in the Individual Standings, he’s poised to clinch the season title. Social media’s ablaze, with X posts like @GolfFanatic23’s “Niemann’s five wins? Tiger-level smoke” and @LIVLad’s “Dumps his caddie and coach, wins by 3? Joaco’s got Thanos energy” fueling the hype.

Key Stat: Niemann hit all 18 greens in regulation during Saturday’s 8-under 63 at JCB Golf & Country Club.

Why Can’t Niemann Crack the Majors?

The 54 Golf crew—Aaron, Cheech, and Jay—digs into why Niemann’s LIV magic fizzles in majors, where his best finish is a T8 at the 2025 PGA Championship and his latest was a missed cut at The Open Championship.

1. Mental Pressure Overload

Cheech nails it: Niemann’s trying too hard in majors. “He puts way too much pressure on himself to be perfect,” he says, comparing it to an amateur golfer who “hooks it, slices it, chunks it” when overthinking. On LIV’s 54-hole, shotgun-start party vibe, Niemann plays loose, but majors’ 72-hole grind demands mental resilience he hasn’t mastered. Cheech adds, “He’s trying to carry the whole LIV league on his back in majors, and he doesn’t have to.” X user @GolfInsiderUK echoes this: “Niemann’s a beast on LIV, but majors need a different headspace.”

2. LIV's Limited Major Access

The OWGR (Official World Golf Ranking) could hurt his chances to win a Major. LIV events don’t earn points, dropping him despite his regular season dominance, making major invites a lottery in the future. Aaron shuts down an OWGR reform question: “We don’t know anything about OWGR, and neither does anyone else.” Jay counters the “LIV’s not real competition” narrative: “He’s beating Rahm and Bryson on LIV, guys who compete in majors. That argument’s stupid.”

3. Youth and Growth Curve

Jay’s optimistic, noting Niemann’s age: “He’s only 26, just entering the years where major champs peak.” Golfers hit their stride from 25 to 35, and with 20 career wins across four tours, Niemann’s ahead of schedule. Phil Mickelson won his first major at 34; Tom Watson was mid-30s. “He’s got a 15-year window, 60 majors,” Jay says. “He has to win one, or it’ll ruin his career. Anything less than three is an upset.” He wonders if major courses don’t suit Niemann’s eye, but Jay’s betting on time.

4. Team Shakeup: A Major Game-Changer?

Post-Open, Niemann fired his caddie, Gary Matthews, and coach, Eduardo Miquel, replacing Matthews with a Spanish-speaking friend. Aaron shares a broadcast nugget: announcer Don Boule griped about not understanding Niemann’s caddie chats anymore. Cheech loves the move: “He’s like, ‘I’m hitting the 8-iron, shut up.’ No more overthinking the caddie’s input.” Aaron’s skeptical but curious: “If he’s got a buddy who vibes with him, maybe that’s the secret sauce for a major.” This shakeup, post-missed cut, led to a LIV win—could it unlock major success?

What’s Next for Niemann?

The 54 Golf crew sees a path forward. Jay’s adamant: “He’s too talented not to figure it out.” If Niemann gets more major starts—via special invites or OWGR reform—he could break through. Aaron’s final take: “Let's get one before we start talking about multiple.” With Chicago and Indianapolis LIV events looming, Niemann’s likely to lock up the Individual Championship, but the real test is 2026’s majors.

Why You Should Listen to 54 Golf

This episode is a masterclass in golf talk—smart, snarky, and packed with tangents that scream next-generation golf fan vibes. From Happy Gilmore 2 cameos (Xander Schauffele’s a riot, Scottie Scheffler’s a “natural”) to Adam Sandler’s near-albatross in a Break 50 video with Bryson, the crew keeps it lively. Cheech’s hyped for a Golficity outing, promising to sling 54 Golf cards with Country Club Adjacent pals. A shoutout to Padraig Harrington’s Senior British Open win caps the chaos. Twenty minutes of fast-paced chatter, it’s a crisp, engaging listen with random laughs and LIV golf fan-fueled energy.

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