How Niemann can wrap up the Individual Championship at LIV Golf Greenbrier

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. – Five years ago at The Greenbrier’s Old White course, Joaquin Niemann won his first professional tournament outside his native Chile. It was a milestone moment in his young golfing career.

A win at this week’s LIV Golf Greenbrier could be even more momentous for the 25-year-old Torque GC captain.

Niemann currently leads the LIV Golf Individual Championship standings and could wrap up the season-long title – and earn a hefty bonus in the process – via a handful of scenarios, all of those involving the No. 2 player on the list, Legion XIII Captain Jon Rahm. (See below for all scenarios.)

The simplest permutation is for Niemann to win this week and hope that Rahm doesn’t finish second. If he does that, he’ll be guaranteed of claiming the Individual Championship no matter how he fares at next month’s regular-season finale, LIV Golf Chicago.

“I have great memories here,” Niemann said Tuesday before heading out to practice. “Hopefully we can add another memory.”

Niemann has led the Individual standings every week since opening the season with a victory at LIV Golf Mayakoba that included a first-round 59. He added a second victory at LIV Golf Jeddah and remains the only player this year with multiple individual titles.

Consequently, he’s worn a large target on his back. He’s used that pressure to fuel his consistent season that includes seven top-10 finishes in his eight starts since his last victory.

“There are a lot of guys trying to get the No. 1 spot,” Niemann said. “That’s the kind of competition we’re looking for. But it’s also a challenge for me, extra motivation to keep working hard, keep trying to do my best and to fight for every shot out there because at the end of the season, every shot counts.

“I’m trying to do everything I can and wrap up the season the right way.”

Six players – Niemann, Rahm and his Legion XIII teammate Tyrrell Hatton, Fireballs GC Captain Sergio Garcia, Stinger GC Captain Louis Oosthuizen and Ripper GC Captain Cameron Smith – are the only competitors left with a mathematical chance of winning the Individual title.

That list will be reduced after Greenbrier … and Niemann could end the competition completely, depending on how the final leaderboard shakes out at The Old White.

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP SCENARIOS

Current Points Standings

Niemann could wrap up the title this week at LIV Golf Greenbrier. Here are the scenarios (not including ties) for each possible Niemann path to the title at The Old White course.

IF NIEMANN WINS (40 points) … He will win the title if Rahm finishes 3rd or worse.

IF NIEMANN FINISHES 2ND (30 points) … He will win the title if Rahm finishes 6th or worse and Hatton doesn't win.

IF NIEMANN FINISHES 3RD (24 points) … He will win the title if Rahm finishes 11th or worse and Hatton doesn't finish inside the top 2.

IF NIEMANN FINISHES 4TH (18 points) … He will win the title if Rahm finishes 18th or worse and Hatton doesn't finish inside the top 3.

IF NIEMANN FINISHES 5TH (16 points) … He will win the title if Rahm finishes outside the top 24 and Hatton doesn't finish inside the top 3.

Niemann cannot wrap up the title in Greenbrier if he finishes outside the top 5, as Rahm will still have a mathematical chance to catch him at next month's LIV Golf Chicago. Here are the ways the other four contenders can avoid elimination.

IF NIEMANN FINISHES 6TH (14 points) … Hatton must finish 3rd or better. Garcia must win. Oosthuizen and Smith eliminated.

IF NIEMANN FINISHES 7TH (13 points) … Hatton must finish 3rd or better. Garcia must win. Oosthuizen and Smith eliminated.

IF NIEMANN FINISHES 8TH (12 points) … Hatton must finish 4th or better. Garcia must win. Oosthuizen and Smith eliminated.

IF NIEMANN FINISHES 9TH (11 points) … Hatton must finish 4th or better. Garcia must win. Oosthuizen and Smith eliminated.

IF NIEMANN FINISHES 10TH (10 points) … Hatton must finish 5th or better. Garcia must win. Oosthuizen and Smith eliminated.

IF NIEMANN FINISHES 11TH (8 points) … Hatton must finish 6th or better. Garcia or Oosthuizen must win. Smith eliminated.

IF NIEMANN FINISHES 12TH (7 points) … Hatton must finish 7th or better. Garcia or Oosthuizen must win. Smith eliminated.

IF NIEMANN FINISHES 13TH (6 points) … Hatton must finish 8th or better. Garcia or Oosthuizen or Smith must win.

IF NIEMANN FINISHES 14TH (5 points) … Hatton must finish 9th or better. Garcia or Oosthuizen or Smith must win.

IF NIEMANN FINISHES 15TH (4 points) … Hatton must finish 10th or better. Garcia must win or finish 2nd. Oosthuizen or Smith must win.

IF NIEMANN FINISHES 16TH or 17TH (3 points) … Hatton must finish 10th or better. Garcia must win or finish 2nd. Oosthuizen or Smith must win.

IF NIEMANN FINISHES 18TH, 19TH OR 20TH (2 points) … Hatton must finish 11th or better. Garcia must win or finish 2nd. Oosthuizen or Smith must win.

IF NIEMANN FINISHES 21ST, 22ND, 23RD OR 24TH (1 point) … Hatton must finish 12th or better. Garcia must win or finish 2nd. Oosthuizen or Smith must win.

IF NIEMANN FAILS TO FINISH INSIDE THE TOP 24 (No points) … Hatton must finish 13th or better. Garcia must win or finish 2nd. Oosthuizen or Smith must win.