LIV Golf star top of money list wants major PGA Tour rule change before 2025

Joaquin Niemann, the highest earner in the 2024 LIV Golf series, remains hopeful that players from the Saudi-backed invitational will gain greater access to major championships next year.

Niemann, who defected to the controversial LIV Golf series, is optimistic about a potential rule change in 2025 that could see LIV players earning Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. This change could potentially ease their path into major tournaments. Despite being suspended from the PGA Tour after joining the lucrative Saudi-backed LIV Golf in 2022, Niemann has thrived, earning a staggering $14.2 million (£11 million) in 2024, more than any other player in the series. Initially barred from PGA Tour events following his switch, the 25-year-old Chilean star has since received special exemptions to play in the Masters and PGA Championship, as well as opportunities to qualify for the US Open and The Open Championship.

In 2024, Niemann qualified for all majors except the US Open and remains hopeful that the future will bring easier access to major championships as LIV Golf seeks to build bridges with the PGA Tour, according to reports from the Mirror.

The golfer expressed his optimism, stating, “I believe that it’s going to happen. I feel like they’ve got to pull for the best of the game, and I think that’s the right way to do it, hopefully give us some spots out here on LIV and have the best players in there.”

Currently, LIV Golf participants do not receive OWGR points for their performances in LIV events, forcing them to participate in other tournaments to accumulate points for major qualifications. However, they can still enter majors through their world ranking positions and past major victories.

LIV Golf’s withdrawal of its application to the OWGR in March has sparked controversy, as players are unable to climb the world rankings unless they participate in DP World Tour events, the Asian Tour, or other tours. This move renders LIV’s non-exempt players ineligible for major tournaments, a point of contention for Niemann.

“Yeah, it’s frustrating, but in the end, I feel like I’m pulling hard for LIV Golf to improve, and I think [expanded major championship eligibility] would be one of the ways that the game and LIV would improve,” Niemann said. “From my side personally, I feel like I’m going to find a way to be in the majors, so it doesn’t frustrate me or put me out.”

Niemann, who has been actively participating in global tournaments in Oman, Dubai, and Australia alongside his LIV commitments, supports the idea of major championships granting automatic exemptions to LIV players. He suggests that around 10 players from LIV should be considered for such spots.

“I would say top 10 guys. There’s definitely 10 guys here that could win majors. Yeah, they can definitely give those 10 spots for us and have more competitive majors,” he explained.