NEW YORK — Joaquin Niemann, LIV Golf's all-time leader with nine individual victories, is reportedly moving closer to leaving the league as uncertainty surrounds its proposed 2027 relaunch and financial restructuring ahead of an October 25 deadline for player commitments.
According to new reporting from HANDICAP 54 on X, multiple sources now expect the 27-year-old Chilean to leave LIV Golf, although no official decision has been announced. In an October 12 post, the account wrote, "Friends, I asked to another sources. For me, all of this is an open secret. As I see it, Joaco is leaving LIV Golf and is seeing out how much money he'll get from what LIV owes him. And for that reason is why nothing is being said. No more than that." The account characterized the expected departure as an "open secret," with the remaining question centered on how much money LIV still owes him.
Niemann previously addressed his future during September's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, telling Golf Digest he had not committed to LIV's proposed 2027 relaunch. Asked whether he had signed a new agreement, Niemann replied, "No, nothing yet." At the time he said he was focused on playing tournaments rather than becoming distracted by LIV's negotiations.
A departure would be a significant setback for LIV, which has already seen former world No. 1 Jon Rahm reject its proposed new structure. Niemann established himself as the league's most successful individual competitor with nine tournament victories across its five seasons. The league filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September after losing financial support from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and subsequently reached a conditional agreement for up to $300 million in financing from BC Partners Credit to help fund its planned relaunch, a relaunch that relies heavily on retaining star players.
The report comes as the DP World Tour has explored opportunities for departing LIV players but confirmed Monday that players will not be permitted to compete on both the DP World Tour and LIV 2.0 in 2027, forcing a choice between the two circuits. Niemann's decision is not yet final, but the latest reporting points toward an exit, following DP World Tour to bar LIV Golf players in 2027.