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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Benjamin Goddard

LIV Golf new boy aims thinly-veiled dig at PGA Tour as he makes big claim after his debut

Chilean star Joaquin Niemann aimed a dig at the PGA Tour by saying he had the "best experience on a golf course by far" on his LIV Golf debut, in which he finished joint second and won £1.5million.

The 23-year-old turned professional in 2018 and has two PGA Tour wins to his name including the Genesis Invitational in February. Niemann was one of the most recent stars who left the PGA to join LIV Golf ahead of the weekend's event in Boston.

Niemann impressed on his debut LIV Golf event and a birdie on the 18th took him to 15-under alongside fellow debutant Anirban Lahiri and two-time major tournament winner Dustin Johnson.

In an exciting finale, an eagle on the first play-off hole gave Johnson the victory which saw him land £3.5million. A poor second shot ultimately cost Niemann his chance of victory and he shared second place with Lahiri - both earning £1.5m.

And following his debut in the Saudi-backed series in Boston, Niemann took a thinly-veiled swipe at the PGA Tour. LIV Golf Editor Mike McAllister tweeted: "Spoke to Joaquin Niemann after his podium finish in his #LIVGolf debut.

"He called it: 'the best experience I've had on a golf course by far. Being in contention, with the crowd - just seeing the crowd so young. You can feel the energy. It's way different'."

Niemann finished joint second in the LIV Golf event in Boston (Getty Images)

Niemann was one of the players who previously rubbished the rumours of him joining the Saudi-backed series when questioned on its inception before making his move last week.

Speaking at the US Open in June, Niemann said: “Nothing to tell from me [on LIV Golf]. I want to do my best to beat all these guys. They’re still here and as long as they’re here [PGA Tour], I’m not going anywhere. No chance.”

LIV Golf continues in Chicago later this month, but many of the series' players are competing at this week's BMW PGA Championship event at Wentworth.

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