'He’s Over There And We Only See Him Four Or Five Times A Year, And It’s Disappointing For All Of Us' - Curtis Strange Claims Joaquin Niemann 'Needs' To Be On The PGA Tour

Niemann has started 2025 in phenomenal fashion thanks to two victories on the LIV Golf League in three starts. However, Strange believes he should be back on the PGA Tour

Joaquin Niemann holds the LIV Golf Singapore title
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Joaquin Niemann has enjoyed an excellent 18 months of golf, with the Chilean continuing to rack up victory after victory on the LIV Golf League circuit.

At just 26-years of age, he is one of the more exciting prospects in the game of golf, especially with 17 professional wins worldwide. However, according to two-time US Open winner, Curtis Strange, Niemann "needs to be" on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour to prove his record further.

Joaquin Niemann with the LIV Golf Adelaide trophy

Niemann has two LIV Golf victories in 2025 and currently leads the League's standings

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Speaking on an ESPN Masters Tournament Media Conference Call, Strange stated: "I think Joaquin Niemann is a hell of a young player. I wish he was playing the DP World Tour or the American (PGA) Tour. He needs to be playing over here.

"He is the talent that, at the end of the day, 25 years from now, I would like to see his record put up against a lot of other people. It’s not going to happen when you’re at LIV. Y’all know what I’m saying.

"He’s over there and we only see him four or five times a year, and it’s disappointing for all of us. Those guys, I want to watch play. I miss watching them play. They made their decision, and that’s okay.

"I think that the public and the TV people and all of us fans of the game would like to see those guys play more often on our Tour. Not to let them back, don’t get me wrong, but I wish they were playing on our Tour, not over there."

Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann chat on the first tee

Jon Rahm and Niemann are among the big names who joined the LIV Golf League

(Image credit: Getty Images)

As of writing, Niemann is ranked 84th in the Official World Golf Ranking due to LIV Golf not possessing OWGR points. However, in Data Golf's rankings, which includes LIV Golfers, Niemann is positioned eighth.

Many have stated that he is a top 10 player in the world, including Phil Mickelson, but some have also questioned this theory, especially when it comes to Niemann's Major form, where his best finish is a tie for 16th at the 2023 Masters.

Going into The Masters, Niemann is around the 12th favorite to slip on the Green Jacket, with Strange claiming he's "looking forward" to the LIV players being at Augusta National, specifically how "(Bryson) DeChambeau, (Jon) Rahm and Niemann stack up next week."

Joaquin Niemann at the 2023 Masters

Niemann during the 2023 Masters

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Also heaping praise on the four-time LIV Golf winner was two-time Major winner, Andy North, who has known Niemann since the early days of his professional career.

"He is really playing exceptionally well," stated North. "Of the guys that are on LIV that I would like to see playing on our Tour, he's probably at the head of that list because I think he's an incredible young talent.

"Once he does well in a Major, I expect he's going to do well in a lot of them after that. Will he win them? You never know. But he has that kind of ability and that kind of confidence."

Currently, World No.1 Scottie Scheffler is the favorite to defend his Masters title but, with Rory McIlroy claiming the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and Players Championship, he has seen his odds significantly slashed ahead of next week.

Rory McIlroy hits a tee shot as Scottie Scheffler watches on

Scheffler and McIlroy will start The Masters as favourites

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Ahead of The Masters, which gets underway on the 10th April, Niemann is another player who has seen his odds drop, following his recent win at LIV Golf Singapore, as well as LIV Golf Adelaide in February and the Saudi International in December 2024.

Explaining that Niemann won't be a "dark horse" in Georgia, North went on to add "I think he's in that category of guys that you wouldn't be a bit surprised if he had a really good week and played well.

"Obviously, he's got a lot of confidence in what he's doing well. He's shooting some really, really good scores. You expect him to do well."

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

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