Joaquin Niemann slams Presidents Cup ban on LIV players

Joaquin Niemann, aged 25, has criticized the ban on LIV Golf players from participating in the Presidents Cup, asserting that it hinders the opportunity for the finest competitors to take part in the team-oriented event scheduled at Royal Montreal this month.

In contrast to the previous year's Ryder Cup, where LIV player Brooks Koepka participated in Rome, this biennial competition, which features a United States team against a selection of international players, will not include any representatives from the Saudi-backed league.

The US PGA Tour, which oversees the Presidents Cup, imposed a ban on LIV players from its events following the establishment of the breakaway circuit in 2022.

"It is disappointing. I would love to be part of that team," Niemann, a Chilean golfer, expressed during a conference call with reporters on Tuesday.

"Ultimately, it is meant to showcase the best golfers globally, and that is not happening at this moment.

"I believe the International team is strong, but it could be even more formidable," Niemann, who currently ranks second in LIV's individual player standings behind Jon Rahm, remarked.

"Naturally, I would enjoy seeing the Americans lose."

No LIV players participated in the 2022 Presidents Cup held at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the United States team triumphed over the Internationals with a score of 17.5 to 12.5.

Last year, the PGA Tour, the Europe-based DP World Tour, and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund announced a framework agreement, which raised hopes for resolving the division within global golf.

However, this framework agreement lapsed at the end of 2023, and no resolution has been achieved despite ongoing discussions.

The United States has secured victory in 12 out of 14 Presidents Cup events, with their sole defeat occurring at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia in 1998.

The 2024 edition of the event is scheduled to take place from September 26 to 29.