BUSAN, South Korea — Joaquin Niemann delivered a clutch performance to secure his first individual victory of the 2026 season, defeating Talor Gooch in a sudden-death playoff to win LIV Golf Korea on Sunday at Asiad Country Club.
The 27-year-old Chilean Torque GC captain birdied the first extra hole to claim his league-record eighth LIV Golf individual title — three more than any other player in the circuit’s history.
Niemann and Gooch, the OKGC captain, entered the final round tied for the lead at 9-under and dueled throughout a dramatic closing 18. Both players carded final-round 3-under 67s to finish regulation at 12-under 268.
In the playoff on the par-4 18th, Niemann hit a pinpoint gap wedge approach that set up an easy birdie, clinching the win. Gooch, seeking his first LIV victory since Spain in 2025, also played solidly but came up short.
“It was fun out there,” Niemann said afterward. The Torque GC leader, who won five times in 2025, extended his dominance and pushed his career on-course LIV earnings past $76 million.
Bryson DeChambeau charged into third place with a final-round 65 to finish at 11-under, helping his Crushers GC team capture the team title for the 10th time in league history (and second consecutive year). The Crushers’ strong collective performance solidified their position atop the season standings.
The victory marks a strong rebound for Niemann in the 2026 campaign and underscores his status as LIV Golf’s most prolific winner. With the league’s season progressing, all eyes will now turn to how the Chilean captain and his Torque GC teammates build on this momentum.
Niemann’s win adds another chapter to LIV Golf’s growing global footprint, with the event in South Korea drawing significant attention as the league continues its international expansion.
LIV Golf Korea: Final Top 3
1. Joaquin Niemann (Torque GC): -12 ($4,000,000)
2. Talor Gooch (OKGC): -12 ($2,250,000)
3. Bryson DeChambeau (Crushers GC): -11 ($1,500,000)
