How Joaquin Niemann Can Secure The $18m LIV Golf Title In Chicago

Joaquin Niemann dominates the LIV Golf League individual standings and has a great chance to wrap up the $18 million first prize at Bolingbrook Golf Club

Joaquin Niemann holds a LIV Golf trophy
(Image credit: Getty Images)
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It's safe to say that the 2025 LIV Golf League has belonged to Joaquin Niemann, with the Chilean claiming five individual titles and over $20 million of prize money in the process.

Winning in Adelaide, Singapore, Mexico City, Virginia and the UK, Niemann finds himself leading the individual standings by 37 points with two events remaining.

Joaquin Niemann with the LIV Golf Virginia trophy

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Sitting on 206.8 points going into LIV Golf Chicago, his nearest challenger is 2024 individual winner, Jon Rahm, who is on 169.16 points.

In fact, such is Niemann’s margin of lead, he could well secure the $18 million title at Bolingbrook Golf Club this Sunday if results go his way in Chicago.

Looking at the points distribution, 40 points are awarded for an individual win so, essentially, if Niemann wins for a sixth time this season then he can't be caught and will claim the individual title before the season-finale in Indianapolis.

On the other hand, if Rahm wins and Niemann finishes outside the top 18, Rahm would overtake him going into the final tournament, which takes place at a new venue of The Club at Chatham Hills.

To put it simply, Niemann needs to score 2.37 more points than Rahm to add his name to the LIV Golf roll of honor.

Jon Rahm holds the LIV Golf League individual title

Rahm claimed the 2024 LIV Golf League individual title after an epic finish

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If he were to get over the line, the individual win will serve as payback for Niemann, who was edged out to the title last year by Rahm, who finished first-second-first in his last three events.

It's not as if Niemann played badly either, but two runner-up finishes and a T15 in his final three tournaments meant he was 16 points back after the 13-event season.

Among those who have won the individual title include Talor Gooch in 2023, finishing 22 points ahead of Cameron Smith. In LIV's inaugural season, Dustin Johnson dominated proceedings, finishing 56 points clear of Branden Grace in second.

LIV Golf League Individual Standings

  • 206.80 - Joaquin Niemann
  • 169.16 - Jon Rahm
  • 136.24 - Bryson DeChambeau
  • 101.20 - Talor Gooch
  • 100.28 - Patrick Reed
  • 86.20 - Sergio Garcia
  • 84.73 - Sebastian Munoz
  • 77.25 - Dean Burmester
  • 71.90 - Lucas Herbert
  • 70.00 - Marc Leishman
Matt Cradock
Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover news and social media.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. His favorite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: Ping G430 LST 15°, 19°

Irons: TaylorMade P.7CB

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

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