Joaquin Niemann's Masters eligibility in doubt as LIV Golf Augusta invites revealed

Joaquin Niemann has DP Word Tour events to qualify (Image: Getty)

The 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, scheduled for Apr 10–13, will see 11 players from LIV Golf in action. However, Joaquin Niemann, who was given a special invite last year and is currently ranked No.

72 globally by the OWGR, needs to break into the top 50 to qualify. Niemann has been making waves on the LIV Golf scene, ranking first in Birdies and Eagles and second-highest in greens in regulation percentage at nearly 73 percent.

He secured two victories in 2024, one in Mayakoba and another in Jeddah, cementing his elite status. Niemann raked in over $27 million for the season, boosted by a $12 million individual championship bonus for his second-place overall finish.

Joaquin Niemann has not yet qualified for the 2025 Masters (Image: Getty)

Despite his success, the Official World Golf Ranking [OWGR] doesn't acknowledge any of his wins, creating a paradox where Niemann's undeniable excellence doesn't translate into what most golfers believe to be the game's biggest prize: winning majors, specifically the Masters.

const loadOvpScript=()=>{let el=document.createElement('script');el.setAttribute('src','https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=114291&vp_content=plembed3e7arguyxmsj&cbuster=%%CACHEBUSTER%%&playerApiId=v114291');document.getElementById('ovp-primis').appendChild(el)};window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v114291"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}});window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',()=>{setTimeout(()=>{if(typeof flagTcfLoaded!=='undefined'&&flagTcfLoaded===!0){loadOvpScript();ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP flagTcfLoaded',new Date())}else{document.addEventListener("tcfLoaded",()=>{loadOvpScript();ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP tcfLoaded',new Date())})}},1500)})

Niemann's performance in the major tournaments has been inconsistent, with a notable 22nd-place finish at last year's Masters overshadowing some of LIV Golf's biggest stars.

However, his second round was marred by a disastrous 78, featuring six bogeys and a double bogey meltdown on the 11th hole.

PGA Championship saw less stellar performance from Niemann who landed in 39th place, wrestling with driving accuracy issues at Valhalla Golf Club and achieving only 58.9 percent – a stark contrast to champ Xander Schauffele's striking 73.2 percent and Brendon Todd's impressive 76.8 percent, despite just making the cut.

Amidst turmoil, Niemann finished tied for 58th at the Open at Royal Troon, amid LIV Golf credentialing strife as the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) turned down their application, stirring significant waves in the golf world; OWGR Chairman Peter Dawson remarked, "It is unfortunate that no way to include LIV Golf in the Ranking could be found which would be fair and equitable to the 24 currently eligible tours and their thousands of playing members."

Tournament wins within the past five years, top 50 global ranking, or being a previous Masters victor are Niemann's tickets to Augusta.

His shot comes at the DP World Tour 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic. His notable finishes include 16th at the Masters [2023], and 23rd at both PGA Championship and US Open, with a 53rd place at the Open Championship.

Trending window.topArticlesScript="https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/js/dist/article-top-articles20241219.min.js" SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

As LIV players grapple with ranking woes, we look at those clinching a berth at next year's Masters among 2025's LIV Golf Masters Qualifiers.

Joaquin Niemann's Masters eligibility in doubt as LIV Golf Augusta invites revealed

Joaquin Niemann's Masters eligibility in doubt as LIV Golf Augusta invites revealed

Joaquin Niemann's Masters eligibility in doubt as LIV Golf Augusta invites revealed

Joaquin Niemann's Masters eligibility in doubt as LIV Golf Augusta invites revealed

Joaquin Niemann's Masters eligibility in doubt as LIV Golf Augusta invites revealed