LIV’s Most Successful Player Calls His Own Tour
Joaquin Niemann has accused world ranking officials of being “afraid to make the right decision” amid LIV Golf’s long-running bid for Official World Golf Ranking points. LIV has pursued accreditation since submitting its proposal in July 2022, only for the request to be rejected in October 2023 by then-chairman Peter Dawson over concerns about meritocracy. Under new chief executive Scott O’Neil, there is renewed optimism that the league could finally be rewarded with ranking points critical for access to major championships. O’Neil has also developed a close working relationship with OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman, who took over the role in April.
Immelman has said he has been “working hard” with LIV as the league explores changes designed to satisfy the OWGR board. Those adjustments include increased relegation, added jeopardy, and clearer promotion pathways through the Promotions Event and the International Series. He has emphasized that meritocracy, promotion, and relegation are core principles of the ranking system and central to the sport’s structure. Niemann, however, believes progress has come too slowly and that hesitation has already caused significant damage to the game.
Despite being LIV’s most successful player with five individual wins in 2025, Niemann sits just 142nd in the world rankings and remains vulnerable when it comes to qualifying for majors. Speaking ahead of the 2026 season, he said LIV has done everything possible to improve its chances, but feels decision-makers are still reluctant to act decisively. His frustration dates back to joining LIV, having relied on special invitations to play the Masters and PGA Championship in recent years. As he prepares to tee it up on the DP World Tour in Dubai, Niemann insists his motivation remains unchanged: to compete against the best, improve every day, and give himself a real chance to win a major. That pursuit now defines the prime of his career, balancing opportunity with uncertainty while he waits for structural change. For Niemann, ranking access is not about politics but fairness, visibility, and earning entry on merit. Until resolution arrives, each starts outside LIV carries extra weight, pressure, and urgency as he continues chasing golf’s biggest stages in an evolving global professional landscape.
