Niemann returns to world’s top 100 with Saudi International win
Chile's Joaquin Niemann will return to the world's top 100 after edging out Cam Smith and Caleb Surratt in a playoff to win the Asian Tour's PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers in Saudi Arabia.
Twice a winner on the LIV Golf league this year, the 26-year-old is projected to jump from 124th to a provisional 73rd in the world after he hit a lob wedge to a foot to set up a birdie on the second playoff hole before Surrat and Smith missed from close range.
Niemann claimed the $1 million winner's cheque and The International Series Rankings, edging out American Peter Uihlein and New Zealander Ben Campbell.
All three players birdied the first hole of the playoff, the par four 18th after Niemann and Surratt surprisingly bogeyed the 72nd hole to fall back into a tie with Smith on 21 under.
"Yeah, it's a really good way to wrap up the season," said Niemann, who closed with a four-under 67 to Surrat's 66 as Smith stormed through the field with a nine-under 62 at Riyadh Golf Club.
"I'm really excited for what's coming next season on LIV and hopefully get into a few Majors."
Graeme McDowell tied for 62nd on seven-under after closing with a five-under 66.
But it was another difficult day for his compatriot Tom McKibbin, who made just one birdie against six bogeys in a third-round 77 at the DP World Tour's Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa.
The Co Antrim man is 64th in the 66-man field on 13-over heading into the final round at Gary Player Country Club in Sun City.
Former Amateur champion Aldrich Potgieter leads by three shots after posting making an eagle and four birdies a bogey-free 66.
"It was great," said Potgieter (20), who heads Italy's Francesco Laporta and England's Matthew Jordan on seven under.
"I was enjoying the crowd love out there, it was pretty awesome to have a big crowd following us, and I played some good golf. Had a lot of big par saves that managed to drop, so I am really happy with today and will try and do the same tomorrow.
Sweden's Jesper Svensson, meanwhile, was named the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year for 2024.
He won the Porsche Singapore Classic and notched another three runner-under finishes to finish 10th in the Race to Dubai and claim a PGA TOUR card.
"I could not have dreamt on a better first season on the DP World Tour and I just feel very honoured to win this award," said Svensson (28), who joins compatriots Per-Ulrik Johansson (1991) and Jarmo Sandelin (1995) on the roll of honour.
