Joaquin Niemann has had a rollercoaster US Open so far.
The LIV golfer opened his account at Shinnecock Hills with a 78, including an 11 on a single hole. This left the Chilean with a mountain to climb just to make the cut on Friday.
But make the cut he did, as he shot an incredible 65 on the second day to get under the cut line and book his spot for the weekend. It was an impressive display of resilience from Niemann, who came under a lot of scrutiny before his second round even began.
He was assessed a two-stroke penalty for his behaviour during his opening round, as Niemann threw his club 50 yards according to onlooking observers. But deserves massive credit for what he did afterward.
Joaquin Niemann deserves massive credit for speaking to the media after US Open penalty
Give massive credit to Niemann, because he did not shy away from taking ownership of his actions at the US Open.
In a moment of immense frustration, he lost his cool and didn’t cover himself in glory. That’s ok, these players are human. We all have moments we’d love to take back. But what’s important is how you behave afterward.
Not only did Niemann speak to the media, he also didn’t make any excuses. “I’m not someone who likes to be in that behavior,” he said after his second round. “I’m the first one to judge myself when I don’t behave on the golf course.
“Yeah, that was a misbehavior from my part.”
This could not be further from Wyndham Clark’s attitude after he smashed the lockers at Oakmont last year. While Clark tried to deflect responsibility for his actions, Niemann has taken responsibility in front of the media.
And it’s not just Clark who can learn a lesson from Niemann.
Why Joaquin Niemann has made Bryson DeChambeau look bad at the US Open
One man we have not heard from at any point during this US Open is two-time champion and face of LIV Golf, Bryson DeChambeau.
DeChambeau has positioned himself as the face of LIV Golf, as said he’s helping CEO Scott O’Neil pitch to potential investors to secure funding for next year.
It would have made sense, therefore, for DeChambeau to speak to the media at some point during the tournament to speak on behalf of his tour.
But there was nothing. Nothing pre-tournament, disputing a host of other past champions, sitting down with the media. Nothing mid-tournament, where it looked like DeChambeau could be in the mix on Thursday. Nothing post-tournament, after DeChambeau missed his third major cut of the year.
Instead of speaking to the media and going to bat for LIV Golf, DeChambeau hid. And that’s made to look even worse after Niemann braved the media himself. LIV should expect more from their leading man.
