Joaquin Niemann makes DP World Tour return due to LIV Golf’s “unfair” world ranking snub

Joaquin Niemann is one of a number of LIV Golf stars who has fallen down the world rankings since making Saudi switch, so has turned his attentions to the DP World Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic

Joaquin Niemann has swapped LIV Golf for the DP World Tour this week, with the Chilean keen to gain some ground in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).

Niemann proved to be a major capture for the LIV setup, after announcing himself as one of golf’s hottest prospects during his rise on the PGA Tour. Before making the switch in 2022, the 25-year-old found himself inside the top 20 in the world, but has since drifted down the list with LIV still waiting to acquire OWGR points.

OWGR officials denied the breakaway league’s most recent application for ranking recognition in October because of the circuit’s 54-hole, no-cut format and qualification and relegation system.

As a result, Niemann has floated out to as high as 87th in the world, a long way from his previous top-20 ranking. After winning the Australian Open, which was jointly sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and the DP World Tour, the Chilean player did indeed battle his way back in December.

Not only did the Torque GC captain battle his way back inside OWGR’s top-60, he also earned himself a spot in this year’s Open Championship, having initially been ineligible to compete in all four majors in 2024 due to his position in the rankings.

On the back of his win down under, Niemann is keen to book a spot at golf’s other three major events this year. Of course he is unable to do that on the LIV setup, so has therefore turned his attention back to the DP World Tour for this week’s Dubai Desert Classic.

Venting his frustrations with the current ranking system, Niemann told Mirror Sport ahead of the event in the Middle East: “It is pretty unfair right now what the world rankings shows. It says the top 100 players in the world right now, but I don’t think this is the right ranking…I am going to Dubai for the DP World [Tour] just because of [ranking] points, nothing else and to try and get into the Masters.”

A returning LIV Golf player often raises eyebrows on the Wentworth-based circuit, but the Chilean is hoping to go about his business under the radar at Emirates Golf Club. “I don’t really need to play other tours, the only reason is because of the majors,” he added.

“This is not me trying to get other players’ place because I am there, it is because the system is not working well. I want to be at the majors and I think the easiest path is to go and play Dubai. I don’t know if it is going to create drama or they are not going to like me playing on that tour, so I am going to go there, try to play well, get my points and get out of there.”

The majors would no doubt be a better place with Niemann, with the Chilean one of the world’s top players, regardless of his tour loyalties. As things stand though it remains to be seen how the breakaway league will muscle more of their players back into the top four events of the year, with Greg Norman and co showing no signs of changing their format to fit OWGR’s requirements.

Niemann believes it is up to those in charge of the four majors to find away to integrate more LIV players. “At the majors it is all about the best players in the world, and I think it is their job to find a way to have the best players there,” the Chilean commented.

“The greatest players are what matter right now, and I believe I am one of them at the moment. I must be in those majors. I am trying to play in more tournaments than just LIV Golf because, although I knew going into LIV that it would be difficult to get into the majors, I believe they now need to find a way to get us in.”