The LIV star made the jump to the world stage with a playoff win in Saudi Arabia

After being burned by Jon Rahm in the last minute to lose the title of the 2024 LIV season, Joaquin Niemann fought for his biggest victory, which comes with a ton of important world-class points.

The 26-year-old Chilean LIV star survived a jersey upset by LIV Pro Cameron Smith on Sunday at the 2024 PIF Saudi International, eventually edging out Smith and Caleb Surrat – another LIV Golf player – in a playoff for the win.

Despite the full complement of LIV professionals on top of the leaderboard, the Saudi International is not an LIV event. Instead, it is an Asian Tour event sponsored by Saudi PIF – the financial backers of LIV Golf. The tournament is part of the International Series, a series of 10 tournaments designed to give LIV players a chance to earn world-class points and new players a chance to earn a spot in LIV.

LIV events do not award world ranking points, which has caused its players to drop in the rankings and threatened their ability to qualify for golf’s major tournaments. But because the International Series is sanctioned by the Asian Tour, it awards its competitors world points.

Niemann, a two-time PGA Tour winner, had reached No. 15 in the Official World Golf Ranking back in 2022, but saw his ranking plummet after joining LIV in August of that year.

By December 2023, he had fallen to 87th place, out of reach to qualify for the majors, and then won the 2023 Australian Open to jump to 59th place.

But as recently as last month, Niemann’s ranking had dropped to 138th, before strong finishes at the DP World Tour Championship and the 2024 Australian Open dropped him to 124th heading into the Saudi International.

With his victory, Niemann is expected to move up the list, possibly in the top 75, according to the report. The Associated Press.

Niemann’s win also earned him $1 million and the International Series title for the season. He was leading the LIV Golf season in the chase for most of 2024, but Rahm eventually transferred him to LIV Chicago to steal the title and his $18 million bonus.

After his win, Niemann admitted that Rahm’s loss gave him motivation for his efforts this week.

“The place I finished second in LIV, I wanted to win. I feel like I worked hard for you. I was going to say that I feel like I deserve it, but you don’t deserve anything here in sports,” explained Niemann. “I know that I feel like it gives me more motivation to come here and play in this last event of the year and make something happen.”

He continued, “It’s nice to win the International Series ranking.” Yes, it gives me a better taste at the end of the year than second in LIV. So I’m very happy with the way it ended and I’m looking forward to the time off.”

Niemann’s well-deserved rest may not be as restful as other years. This pro also revealed that he will marry on December 21 before Christmas and New Year with his family. Now they will all have something more to celebrate during their busy holiday season.