The Open de España presented by Madrid already has one of its biggest headlines; Joaquin Niemann will be playing the tournament for the first time. The Chilean, who became a global superstar with victories on four continents, touches down in the Spanish capital intent on leaving his mark on an historic event that has hosted some of golf’s true legends.
For many, Niemann is a precocious talent. As a boy he used to patrol round the house with plastic clubs in his hands, practising swings that, unbeknown to him, would one day propel him to the top of the amateur rankings, a position he would hold for 44 consecutive weeks. It came as no surprise, then, that his professional debut on the PGA Tour at the 2018 Valero Texas Open yielded a stunning sixth place finish. Now, seven years on, he arrives in Madrid as one of the best-known players on the planet.
The Open de España will not be just any tournament for Niemann. Firstly, because it is his debut in the Spanish capital, he added the event to his calendar this year. Secondly, because he arrives in the form of his life; he has won in Asia, Oceana, the USA and the Middle East and he gives the likes of Jon Rahm a run for his money every week. His presence in Madrid elevates the level of competition and anyone lucky enough to catch a glimpse of him club-in-hand will not be disappointed.
“I like trying new courses, feeling the pressure of adapting quickly. That’s what makes a player grow,” the Chilean has said. It is a philosophy that fits perfectly with what he is about to find on the demanding black course at Club de Campo.
Behind this brilliant golfer, there is a human being with an interesting background. When his cousin was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, a disease that is expensive to treat, Niemann was quick to raise money and donate a significant part of his own income. It was a time that taught him that his platform allows him to do much more than just lift trophies. Today he remembers it as one of the most important moments of his life.
His story is also replete with brave decisions. At the age of 13, following the separation of his parents, he moved with his father to Santiago to have greater opportunities in golf. This early gamble for his career goes some way to explain the maturity with which he now approaches the game.
With this background, his Open de España debut becomes an even more attractive prospect. Niemann arrives as the only Chilean to have won on the PGA Tour and a player who now plies his trade world over, but also as a competitor who is capable of taking down any title. His aggressive style, an innate capacity to remain calm under pressure and his hunger to broaden his horizons make him a likely contender this week.
For the Spanish fans, it will be an opportunity for a close-up look at a player who combines natural talent with an inspirational personal story. For Niemann, it is a chance to write a new chapter at a tournament that, throughout history, has crowned true legends of the game as its champions. Arnold Palmer, Severiano Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer and Nick Faldo all adorn this historic tournament’s winners’ circle.
Madrid awaits with bated breath, and if Niemann has proved anything throughout his career, it is that when he sets foot on a new course, he always finds a way to do his thing.
