The LIV Golf player who Rick Shiels called ‘sensational’ and Phil Mickelson loves finally proved a point at the PGA Championship

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LIV Golf players certainly didn’t have it all their own way at the PGA Championship, which was won by Scottie Scheffler.

PGA Tour star Scheffler secured a five-shot victory at Quail Hollow, clinching his maiden PGA Championship win.

A total of 15 LIV Golf players paused their regular seasons to take on the major championship, with eight making the cut.

Phil Mickelson endured a nightmare start, with the six-time major champion among the LIV Golf players failing to make the weekend.

Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka also missed out, along with many PGA Tour star names, including Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.

Joaquin Niemann secures best-ever major finish at PGA Championship

It was Bryson DeChambeau who flew the flag for LIV Golf, finishing T2 alongside Harris English and Davis Riley.

But also impressing at Quail Hollow was Joaquin Niemann, who finished T8 in North Carolina on four-under, alongside eight other players.

READ MORE: Two PGA Tour players are both in trouble with golf fans for their behaviour on day four at the PGA Championship with some calling for penalties

Niemann was under pressure to perform at the PGA Championship, with the Chilean currently leading the way in the LIV Golf individual standings.

He is ahead of both DeChambeau and Jon Rahm in the overall points list, having already won three times on LIV Golf in 2025.

But after previously never finishing inside the top 15 in his previous 23 major championship starts, a T8 finish can be viewed as a real success.

‘Sensational’ Joaquin Niemann finally proves a point at PGA Championship

Niemann was among the LIV Golf players embarrassed on day one of the PGA Championship, where he carded a three-over 74.

But a 67 and 71 in rounds two and three respectively brought him back into the limelight, with the Chilean finishing with a Sunday 68.

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Along with being the leader on the Saudi-backed tour, huge pressure has arrived elsewhere, with Mickelson naming Niemann the world’s best golfer earlier this season.

Moreover, Rick Shiels called Niemann ‘sensational’ after they played together at The Duels Miami, with the pressure having been growing on the 26-year-old to finally come good on the biggest stage.

He won twice on the PGA Tour before leaving for LIV Golf in 2022, and will have another chance to impress at the US Open next month.

Niemann clinched an exemption for Oakmont after winning LIV Golf Mexico, having already earned an exemption for The Open Championship.

And having taken on The Masters at Augusta National last month, where he finished T29, the Chilean is set to play at all four majors for the first time since 2023, with his latest result also earning him a spot in the 2026 PGA Championship.