LIV Golf pro reveals excitement after being handed special Masters invite

LIV Golf’s Joaquin Niemann admits he is overjoyed to have received an invite to the 2024 Masters following his red-hot form on both the DP World Tour and LIV Golf League.

Although Augusta National made no reference to Niemann's recent victory in the LIV Golf League opener in Maykoba, an event where he shot a historic 59 in the first round, the Chilean was named as one of three special invites in the season's first major in April.

• Explained: Why Joaquin Niemann has received an invite into The Masters

Niemann took down his former mentor Sergio Garcia in a playoff to win in Mexico earlier this month.

He also won the Australian Open in another play-off in December 2023, which was referenced by those at Augusta National. 

“The Masters Tournament has a long-standing tradition of inviting leading international players who are not otherwise qualified. Today’s announcement represents the Tournament’s continued commitment towards developing interest in the game of golf across the world. We look forward…

— The Masters (@TheMasters) February 21, 2024

Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen and Japan's Ryo Hisatsune also received spots in The Masters. 

Niemann, who finished T16 in last year's Masters and 10 shots behind eventual winner Jon Rahm, said: 

Niemann was speaking at this week's International Series Oman on the Asian Tour where he opened with a blemish-free 6-under 66. 

He lies one stroke behind fellow LIV Golf League player David Puig.

After Oman, Niemann will have three events to hone his game before The Masters as he will head to Saudi Arabia for LIV Golf Jeddah, LIV Golf Hong Kong, and then International Series Macau.

The 25-year-old added: “I’m looking forward to the next three weeks, they will all give me good preparation for what’s coming next. I like my chances and I want to play well. Obviously, I can’t say what’s going to happen, I have to go out there and grind it.”

How wil Niemann perform at The Masters? Was he deserving of a place in The Masters? What about Olesen and Hisatsune? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.

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