Joaquin Niemann continued his remarkable 2025 season with a wire-to-wire victory at LIV Golf UK at JCB Golf and Country Club, securing his fifth individual title of the year and seventh overall on the LIV Golf League.
The 26-year-old Chilean posted rounds of 65-63-68 to finish at 17-under 196, three shots ahead of Bubba Watson, earning a $4 million payday and further solidifying his lead atop the LIV Golf individual standings.
Niemann’s triumph came after a tumultuous week, having parted ways with his long-time caddie, Gary Matthews, and coach, Eduardo Miquel, following a missed cut at the 2025 Open Championship. Undeterred, he delivered a masterclass performance, posting a second-round 8-under 63, featuring seven birdies and a bogey, gave him a six-shot lead entering Sunday.
The final round saw Niemann tested by a charging Watson, who produced a historic six-hole stretch on the back nine, going 8-under with four birdies and two eagles, including a 320-yard driver off the deck for an eagle on the par-5 10th.
Watson’s 6-under 65 brought him within two shots with four holes to play, but Niemann responded with a clutch birdie on the 15th, sticking his approach to within five feet to restore a three-shot lead. A bogey on the 18th was inconsequential as Niemann cruised to victory.
“I was feeling the pressure on 13, 14, but I stayed in the present,” Niemann said. “That shot on 15 was huge.”
Watson’s 14-under finish marked his best LIV Golf result, while 21-year-old Caleb Surratt carded a bogey-free 65 to take third at 13-under, his career-best LIV finish.
Talor Gooch finished fourth at 11-under, and Jon Rahm and Dean Burmester tied for fifth at 10-under.
In the team competition, Niemann’s Torque GC started Sunday with a three-shot lead but was overtaken by Rahm’s Legion XIII, who shot a staggering 14-under to finish at 35-under, eight shots clear.
Surratt’s podium finish, combined with Rahm’s 6-under 65 and strong play from Tyrrell Hatton and Tom McKibbin, secured Legion XIII’s fourth team title of 2025 and eighth in two years.
“With all four scores counting this year, I thought it would play to our advantage,” Rahm said.
Niemann’s victory, following wins in Adelaide, Singapore, Mexico City, and Virginia, sets a LIV Golf record for most wins in a season and overall, with his seventh career LIV title.
Despite his dominance, he remains 98th in the Official World Golf Ranking due to LIV’s lack of OWGR recognition, a point of contention as he eyes a top-10 global ranking.
“If I play my best game, I know I can win,” Niemann said, dismissing critics who question LIV’s competition level. His focus remains on securing the season-long individual championship, with a potential $18 million bonus looming.
