LIV Golf pro told to give it a rest after whinge during Open interview
Joaquin Niemann managed to make the cut at The Open but told a reporter after his second round that it was 'really sad' he almost wasn't at Royal Troon.
A number of golf fans on X seemed to be up in arms with a throwaway comment made by LIV Golf pro Joaquin Niemann after he battled back to make the cut at The Open.
Niemann, who won on the DP World Tour earlier this year to cement his place in the field at Royal Troon, was playing some steady links golf until he came undone at the Postage Stamp on Friday.
Niemann took a snowman eight after enduring a nightmare at the infamous par-3 whereby he visited three out of the five bunkers that surround the hole.
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After the devastating quintuple bogey, Niemann showed his true quality by proceeding to play the back nine in 4-under par.
He was one of 11 players who successfully made it through the halfway stage as big names were sent home packing.
Reflecting on his remarkable back nine with golf reporter Cara Banks, Niemann said it was 'really sad' that he almost wasn't here.
Niemann was among the first wave of players to join the breakaway tour in 2022 and has seen his world ranking plummet.
When he claimed victory in the opening LIV event in Mexico in February, the Chilean complained about his struggles about being able to get into the big four events.
That comment, for the most part, was met with little sympathy.
Niemann's victory at the ISPS Handa Australian Open secured him a place in the field this week.
He was invited to play the PGA Championship and also given a special exemption into the Masters Tournament.
Augusta National officials also looked favourably on the fact he is a former Latin America Amateur champion.
His latest comment seemed to cause a ripple on the social media platform.
"He's a guy that I really want to like, but makes it difficult at times," one user said.
Another added: "That is what the money was for."
This golf fan wrote: "He signed for $100m and go a special invite into The Masters this year. Enough with the sad!"
Niemann was handed a third round tee time of 14.55pm with England's Matthew Jordan.
Both players were level par, seven shots behind the 36-hole leader Shane Lowry.
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