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

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

That was greater than sufficient.

Niemann overcame a number of anxious moments and closed with an even-par 71 to turn out 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 finest golf in a 63-63 begin and doing simply sufficient within the last spherical to win.

“It’s the hardest match I believe in the course of the yr. It’s acquired one of the best area, one of the best gamers are right here and that proves myself that I may be competing with the highest guys, I may be up there on this planet rating,” Niemann mentioned. “I believe it’s going to present me loads of confidence for what’s coming subsequent.”

Staked to a three-shot result in begin the ultimate spherical, Niemann’s margin was down to at least one 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 approach.

“I believe No. 8 was large,” he mentioned. “I hit an important shot. Cameron hit it simply over the inexperienced. I knew it was my alternative to come back again somewhat stronger, and I began taking part in the subsequent holes higher.”

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

“Everybody’s right here to compete in opposition to one of the best gamers on this planet. I’m right here to do the identical,” he mentioned. “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 mentioned. “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 finest recognized 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, important 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 approach across the fabled course. A very powerful birdie was at No. 8. He acquired 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 ft 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, may solely get out to the 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 green, hitting to the again degree of the inexperienced and two-putting for par from simply inside 30 ft.

After which the celebration was on as his closest associates — Sergio Garcia of Spain, Mito Pereira of Chile and Carlos Ortiz of Mexico — shaped a giant group hug on the 18th.