Joaquin Niemann dropped a bogey-free 7-under 64 at LIV Golf New York, grabbing a two-shot lead, and if history’s any guide, the rest of the field should be sweating. The last time this dude held the solo lead after the first round of a LIV tournament, he went on to win the whole thing. That was way back in the 2024 season opener at Mayakoba, where he kicked things off with an historic 59. Don’t be surprised if he pulls off that same feat this week at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster.
Niemann Is Absolutely Dealing
Niemann’s Thursday performance was just unreal. That 7-under 64 was bogey-free and tied his lowest round, relative to par, in his 41 LIV Golf rounds this season. He was making putts from everywhere, sinking roughly 140 feet of them! He started with a 20-foot birdie, then added a 40-foot putt from off the green, and even a ridiculous 52-foot birdie putt. Plus, an 18-foot par save late in the round kept that scorecard spotless. Niemann wasn’t just rolling it, either. He led the entire field in Greens in Regulation, Strokes Gained Off the Tee, and Strokes Gained Approach. When asked if it was his best round this season, he just said, “I have a pretty bad memory, so I’ll say yes.” He might forget the details, but he sure remembers his 59 at Mayakoba, one of only three sub-60 rounds in league history, which set up the first of his league-record eight individual tournament wins. His most recent win? That was earlier this year in Korea. He’s a proven closer, winning five times last season, converting one of two shared first-round leads into a victory. He sounds ready, too: “I’m just excited right now for the chance to be leading in the first round. The putts are going in, which is nice. It’s nice to see that. I’m just excited for what’s coming next.” Oh, and Niemann was the main reason Torque GC also nabbed a three-shot lead on the team leaderboard.
Herbert and Poulter Are Hot on His Heels
While Niemann looks unstoppable, he’s got to fend off Lucas Herbert, who’s been playing out of his mind. Herbert, the league’s “hottest player,” won his second tournament of the season two weeks ago at LIV Golf United Kingdom with a record 30-under total. He started that event with a bogey-free 61 and closed it with another bogey-free 62, winning by a massive six shots. And what did Herbert do Thursday? Another bogey-free round, successfully scrambling all eight times he got into trouble. This guy has only had one bogey in his last 63 holes! He’s in the final group for the fifth straight round. The 30-year-old Australian admitted, “Been in very good form lately. It’s been fun to ride that wave.” Ian Poulter is also lurking. The 50-year-old Englishman had three top 20s in his last four LIV starts, including a season-best T15 in the UK, and even snagged solo fourth in his senior major debut. Like Niemann and Herbert, Poulter also went bogey-free on Thursday.
Niemann’s on fire, but Herbert’s recent run is just insane, and Poulter’s finding his stride. Friday is going to be a battle to stay on top, and you know Niemann wants to ride this wave all the way to another victory.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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