Chile’s Joaquín Niemann capped off what could be the finest season of his career by winning the US$5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, securing a dramatic play-off victory over Cam Smith and Caleb Surratt.
“I enjoy being in that position, but there’s times sometimes that it takes a little bit longer. It was a good day. Caleb and me, we played great,” said Niemann, who plays on the LIV Golf League for Torque GC.
“Never thought we were going to be in a play-off with Cam Smith. He was early. An hour before us when he was done. I thought we were going to stay away from the 21-under, but you never know in golf.”
Niemann sealed the win with a stunning birdie on the second play-off hole at Riyadh Golf Club, hitting a near-perfect lob shot to within a foot of the pin. Smith and Surratt both missed their birdie attempts from close range, handing Niemann the triumph. The victory earned him US$1 million in prize money and also saw him claim The International Series Rankings title after a fiercely contested finish.
The trio had all birdied the first play-off hole, a par-4 18th, after Niemann and Surratt had both bogeyed the final hole in regulation play, bringing them back to a tie with Smith at 21 under par.
Niemann, who led by one shot going into the final day, closed with a four-under-par 67. Surratt posted a 66, while Smith, playing in one of the later groups, surged into contention with a remarkable 62.
He added: “Yeah, it’s a really good way to wrap up the season. I’m really excited for what’s coming next season on LIV and hopefully get into a few Majors.”
The thrilling finale marked the close of the season-ending event on the Asian Tour and The International Series, the richest tournament of the season. Niemann’s victory came after a strong start, with birdies on the first three holes, but a bogey on the 14th and trouble off the tee on 18 put the pressure on. He recovered from the trees on 18 to set up a five-foot putt for the win, but missed it, leaving the door open for Smith, who made birdie on the hole. Surratt’s final hole bogey, after pushing his tee shot into the water, handed Niemann the edge.
Said Smith: “I think it was a bonus to even get in there, to be fair, sitting down for an hour and a bit. It was fine. I did what I had to do. Obviously, a shame to miss the putt there, but it is what it is.
“I was thinking my percentage of having a top five was very slim. Yeah, it’s a weird game sometimes. It’s kind of lucky that there wasn’t any beers in the clubhouse because I would have had a few, I think. It’s a weird game sometimes, and you never really know what’s going to happen.”
The win also secured Niemann’s second victory in Saudi Arabia this season, following his LIV Golf Jeddah triumph in March, shortly after winning LIV Golf Mayakoba.
At just 20 years old, Surratt was aiming for his first professional win. His bogey on 18th was his only dropped shot of the round, and yet another narrow miss after a joint-third place finish in Morocco and second in England in earlier International Series events.
“Yeah, it’s a tough pill to swallow,” said the American, who plays for Legion XIII on the LIV Golf League.
“I’ve been really close a few times this year in The International Series, and I really fought hard this week because I didn’t get off to a great start.
“I did all I could do. I hit six perfect golf shots in the playoff, and I didn’t really find my way this time, and hopefully one day it does.”
Peter Uihlein (USA) and Ben Campbell (New Zealand) finished second and third, respectively, in The International Series Rankings. Campbell, who closed with a 64, fell just one shot short of the play-off and the opportunity to join next year’s LIV Golf League.
Englishman Tyrrell Hatton, with a 67, finished in fifth place, one shot behind Campbell.
The post Niemann’s Stunning Play-Off Victory Seals PIF Saudi International and International Series Rankings appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
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