Joaquin Niemann retains his distance and closes out huge win at Riviera

Joaquin Niemann set or matched some type of a scoring file at Riviera each day of the Genesis Invitational till Sunday. All he received was the trophy handed to him from Tiger Woods after beating the very best subject in golf this yr.

That was greater than sufficient.

Niemann overcame a number of anxious moments and closed with an even-par 71 to grow to be the primary wire-to-wire winner on the Genesis Invitational in 53 years, holding off British Open champion Collin Morikawa and PGA Tour rookie Cameron Younger by two photographs.

The week started with all of the gamers from the highest 10 on this planet. It ended with a 23-year-old Chilean taking part in his greatest golf in a 63-63 begin and doing simply sufficient within the last spherical to win.

“It’s the hardest match I feel throughout the yr. It’s received the very best subject, the very best gamers are right here and that proves myself that I could be competing with the highest guys, I could be up there on this planet rating,” Niemann stated. “I feel it’s going to provide me a whole lot of confidence for what’s coming subsequent.”

Staked to a three-shot result in begin the ultimate spherical, Niemann’s margin was down to 1 when he made a 7-foot birdie on the eighth gap and Younger sailed the inexperienced and made bogey. After which he chipped in for eagle on the par-5 eleventh, and Niemann was on his manner.

“I feel No. 8 was huge,” he stated. “I hit a terrific shot. Cameron hit it simply over the inexperienced. I knew it was my alternative to return again slightly stronger, and I began taking part in the following holes higher.”

On a day when Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau stated they have been staying placed on the PGA Tour amid hypothesis of a Saudi-funded rival league, Niemann spoke of a price price extra than simply cash.

“Everybody’s right here to compete towards the very best gamers on this planet. I’m right here to do the identical,” he stated. “Successful a PGA Tour occasion, getting a trophy, having Tiger there, all of the historical past behind it, there’s nothing that may compete with this.”

About the one factor Niemann missed was an opportunity to interrupt the oldest match scoring file on the PGA Tour. With two bogeys on the again 9, Niemann completed at 19-under 265, one wanting the rating Lanny Watkins had in 1985.

Morikawa holed an eagle chip on the notorious and reachable tenth gap that one-hopped into the cup, and two late birdies gave him an opportunity. However he missed a 10-footer on the 18th in his bid to win and attain No. 1 on this planet. He closed with a 66.

Younger, making solely his twelfth profession PGA Tour begin, was a runner-up for the second time this season. He additionally tied for second in Mississippi. He confronted Niemann over the ultimate 36 holes and stayed with him, unable to make up the deficit.

“You end tied for second at Riviera, I can’t complain.” Younger stated. “I’m fortunate simply to be right here and I do know it does some good issues for me going ahead, so I’m proud of the week.”

Given the status of the match hosted by Tiger Woods, Younger earned $1,068,000 for his tie for second. The purse was $12 million.

As for Niemann, the match hasn’t had a 23-year-old winner since Phil Rodgers in 1962, the match greatest identified for Jack Nicklaus making his professional debut. Nicklaus tied for fiftieth and earned $33.33 that yr.

Niemann picked up $2.16 million for his second PGA Tour victory.

Charlie Sifford in 1969 was the final participant to go wire-to-wire within the Genesis Invitational, vital as a result of the elite match — it attracted everybody from the highest 10 on this planet this week — presents an exemption in Sifford’s title to advertise range in golf.

This yr is the one hundredth anniversary of when Sifford, the primary Black golfer to win on the PGA Tour, was born. The No. 100 was on the primary gap.

Niemann carved his personal manner across the fabled course. Crucial birdie was at No. 8. He received loads of respiration room with the eagle on No. 11.

Younger stayed shut, even after a bogey on No. 10 when his flip wedge from wanting the inexperienced did not clear a bunker. He blasted out properly to 4 toes however missed the par putt, slamming his bag with a putter as he left the inexperienced.

He nonetheless had an opportunity. Younger drove right into a bunker on the fifteenth, might solely get out to the golf green after which holed out for birdie from 50 yards. Niemann missed a 4-foot par putt and took his second straight bogey, and the lead was down to 2 with three holes to play.

Younger discovered a bunker for the second straight day on the par-3 sixteenth. It wasn’t plugged prefer it was on Saturday, however he did not get up-and-down. He birdied the par-5 seventeenth to get again inside two photographs and wanted some assist. Niemann didn’t present it, splitting the center of the golf green, hitting to the again stage of the inexperienced and two-putting for par from simply inside 30 toes.

After which the celebration was on as his closest pals — Sergio Garcia of Spain, Mito Pereira of Chile and Carlos Ortiz of Mexico — fashioned an enormous group hug on the 18th.