As the LIV Golf League approaches its dramatic regular-season finale this week in Indianapolis, Chilean standout Joaquin Niemann has expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity to compete head-to-head against defending champion Jon Rahm in a tight race for the individual title.
Niemann, 26, enters the tournament at The Club at Chatham Hills with a slender 12.27-point lead over Rahm, sitting atop the standings with 208.43 points after a dominant season featuring a record five victories. The Torque GC captain credits much of his growth to the intense pairings with Rahm, which have pushed him to elevate his game throughout the 2025 campaign.
“It’s been a lot of growing in my game. I feel like playing against Jon — I’ve been playing with him for probably 60, 70 percent of my pairings this year (and) he’s a great competitor,” Niemann said ahead of the event.
“He’s always there. He never gives a shot away. It’s fun to play with someone that pushes you to be better and to go back home and try to get better and come back here and try to beat him.”
The sentiment underscores the mutual respect between the two stars, who have traded blows in a season-long battle that culminates this weekend. An $18 million bonus awaits the individual champion, adding extra weight to every shot in the 54-hole, no-cut format.
Rahm, the 30-year-old Spaniard and Legion XIII captain, trails with 196.16 points but remains in striking distance thanks to his trademark consistency. Despite zero wins this year, the former world No. 1 has finished in the top-10 eleven out of 12 starts. His only finish outside the top 10 was a T11 in Dallas.
Niemann, on the other hand, is feast or famine: five wins but not a single additional top-10 (where the majority of the points are allocated to). Also, the point differential for the top-3 podium finishes is minimal (1st 40, 2nd 30, 3rd, 24).
Rahm closed the gap last week at LIV Golf Chicago, tying for second (27 pts) while Niemann finished tied for 17th (1.62 pts).
2025 LIV Golf League Individual Race
- Riyadh: Niemann T33 (0), Rahm T2 (27)
- Adelaide: Niemann 1st (40), Rahm 6th (14)
- Hong Kong: Niemann T12 (4.66), Rahm T6 (12.5)
- Singapore: Niemann 1st (40), Rahm T5 (13.2)
- Miami: Niemann T33 (0), Rahm T9 (9.66)
- Mexico City: Niemann 1st (40), Rahm 4th (18)
- Korea: Niemann T20 (0.85), Rahm T7 (10.8)
- Virginia: Niemann 1st (40), Rahm T8 (11.5)
- Dallas: Niemann T23 (1), Rahm T11 (7.5)
- Andalucia: Niemann T23 (0.28), Rahm 2nd (30)
- United Kingdom: Niemann 1st (40), Rahm T5 (15)
- Chicago: Niemann T17 (1.62), Rahm T2 (27)
The scenarios for victory are straightforward yet tense. Niemann secures the title with a first- or second-place finish, regardless of Rahm’s performance. For Rahm to repeat as champion, he must win outright while ensuring Niemann finishes third or worse. LIV Golf’s data analysts give Niemann a 58.7% chance of prevailing, compared to Rahm’s 41.3%.
Rahm, for his part, has heaped praise on his rival, acknowledging Niemann’s “spectacular” run of seven wins over the past two years.
“He’s a fantastic competitor, fantastic golfer, great person as well. It’s a lot of fun to share the stage with him,” Rahm said, adding that Niemann’s dominance should have made the race more lopsided, but “consistency can pay off.”
Niemann, however, remains focused on execution rather than outcomes. “You’ve just got to worry about what you can control. There’s nothing else you can worry about,” he emphasized.
The rivalry has drawn admiration from peers, including third-place star Bryson DeChambeau, who trails far behind with 140.74 points.
“The level of competition they bring to LIV is out of control,” DeChambeau said.
As the league shifts to its team championship next month, this week’s individual showdown highlights LIV Golf’s blend of star power and high drama. For Niemann, the chance to dethrone Rahm isn’t just about the title, it’s a testament to the growth forged in competition against one of the game’s elite.
