Joaquin Niemann told to return to the PGA Tour after setting sights on becoming major champion

Joaquin Niemann is the in-form man on the LIV Golf circuit, currently sitting on top of the league standings, but the Chilean is yet to make his mark on the major stage

Joaquin Niemann has been told by two-time U.S. Open champion Curtis Strange that he needs to be playing PGA Tour golf to help him succeed on the major stage.

Niemann has become one of the sport’s most in-form players during his time on the LIV Golf circuit, having recently equalled Brooks Koepka’s record of five wins with the Saudi-backed league. The Torque GC captain currently sits top of the league standings in 2025, having narrowly missed out on the year-long title to Jon Rahm last season.

For all of his good form though, Niemann is yet to truly make his mark on the major championship stage, having failed to register a top-10 finish at one of the flagship events during his career. It comes as Rory McIlroy is set to play a prestigious tournament he has skipped for 11 years.

His loyalty to LIV has ensured he has been unable to play on the PGA Tour, and Strange believes this is what is holding Niemann back at the majors. “I think the first thing Joaquín has to do is get over [to the PGA Tour] and play more regular golf on the bigger stages against the better players in the world,” he told reporters.

“Not that they don’t have two or three or four world-class players, but develop, get used to the major championship atmosphere. He will do that, but it’s going to take a little longer, I think, because he’s over there not playing in front of as many people, the exposure, all of the above. It’s just reality.

“I’m not knocking anybody, but it’s just reality of when you’re not on that stage as often as these other players are playing the regular Tour, then you might not be as comfortable as if you were doing it on a regular basis. Certainly a wonderful player.

“I’ve never seen him play but so often a few shots here and there, but over there he’s certainly playing well and winning some tournaments, unlike some of the other great players over there.” It comes ahead of Niemann’s return to major golf next week at the PGA Championship.