Niemann wins LIV Golf Korea in playoff, claims record 8th title

Joaquin Niemann birdied the 18th hole Sunday in a playoff to defeat Talor Gooch and capture the LIV Golf Korea title at Asiad Country Club in Busan, earning $4 million and his record eighth career LIV Golf victory.

The title gives Niemann more LIV Golf victories than any other player in the circuit's five-year history, cementing his standing as the tour's all-time leading champion.

Niemann and Gooch entered a sudden-death playoff after both finished regulation at the par-70 Asiad Country Club knotted at 12-under par. On the 454-yard, par-4 18th hole, Niemann delivered a precise wedge shot that settled within three feet of the cup, then drained the birdie putt to clinch the championship, the Korea Times reported.

The Chilean's eighth LIV Golf title eclipses any rival in the tour's history. He won five times in 2025, and Sunday marked his first title of 2026.

At his post-round press conference, Niemann was exuberant. "It was fun out there. I really enjoy the feeling of winning again. I love this game," he said. "Looking back at today's round, especially the back nine, I have a big passion for this game. I'm a big fan of this game of golf. It teaches you every time how can you improve. You're always learning."

Niemann also pointed to a mental reset since LIV Golf Singapore in March as the turning point this week. "I feel like I was forcing everything a little bit too much," he said of that earlier event. "To be able to stay on my mind, stay on my lane this week, and being able to make it happen the way it happened ... so it was a beautiful day. I really enjoyed it, and super happy."

In the decisive final round, Gooch grabbed the solo lead at 11-under with a birdie at the fifth hole, and both players birdied the eighth. Gooch's first bogey of the round came at the ninth, while Niemann posted a bogey of his own at the 11th, leaving them level at the end of 72 holes, according to the Korea Times.

Describing the playoff itself, Niemann credited years of daily preparation. "I would love to describe exactly how it feels to be in that situation, but for me, it's one of the best feelings ever," he said. "We practice every day. We wake up and try to get better, try to get the wedge game better, driving, putting. When we get to that moment in a playoff, we know we can deliver and trust what we practice, trust what we're feeling and just commit to the shot."

Niemann closed with a declaration of purpose. "I just freaking love this game, and I'm always going to try to do the best that I can to get better and accomplish more things, win more tournaments, grow the game, give back to my country that also gave me everything," he said.