LIV Golf star bemoans ‘unfair’ rankings in bid to make Masters

The DP World Tour is the place to be for LIV Golf stars with intent in qualifying for this year’s major championships.

Louis Oosthuizen recorded consecutive wins on the circuit in December, with fellow South African Charl Schwartzel also featuring.

But it’s a different name with eyes on returning to Augusta National in April, who is set to tee it up on the DP World Tour again.

Chile’s Joaquin Niemann played twice in November, winning the ISPS Handa Australian Open in the process, and returns for another crack at rankings points in Dubai this week.

The 25-year-old, who is now ranked 70th in the Official Golf World Rankings (OWGR), has turned his attention to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, amid frustrations over an ‘unfair’ ranking system.

“It is pretty unfair right now what the world rankings shows,” Niemann told the Mirror.

“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 and to try and get into the Masters.”

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LIV Golf’s 2024 season begins on February 2, giving players like Niemann the chance to compete elsewhere ahead of the season-opener at Mayakoba, in Mexico.

The Saudi-backed circuit was rejected ranking recognition in October, due to its 54-hole, no cut format, with promotion and relegation involved, too.

Format changes are yet to catch Niemann out, though, as his win in Australia earned him a spot in this year’s Open Championship at Royal Troon.

But the Torque GC captain remains ineligible for the remaining three majors and argues he has his sights on drama-free qualification.

“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.

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“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.”

As of this week, ten LIV golfers are in the field for the first major of the year, but Niemann believes it’s up to the powers-at-be to make sure he is there.

He said: “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.

“Right now, it is all about the best players and right now I think I am one of those, I have got to be in those majors.

“Obviously, I took the decision to come to LIV and I knew it was going to be hard to get into the majors because of it, but I think now they have to find a way to get us in, that is why I am trying to play more tournaments than just LIV Golf.”

Meanwhile, former LIV golfer Bernd Wiesberger will relaunch his DP World Tour career this week after Greg Norman’s circuit paid his $1.5 million fine.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.