LIV Golf star reacts to tearing up Donald Trump's course in Irish Open

Sam Frost Fri, September 11, 2026 at 3:21 AM UTC

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Joaquin Niemann of Chile plays his second shot on the second hole on day one of the Amgen Irish Open (Image: Warren Little, Getty Images)

Joaquin Niemann put aside any concerns about LIV Golf's uncertain future by delivering "sexy" golf to establish the early lead in the Irish Open.

Niemann is one of several LIV players competing in the DP World Tour event at Trump International Golf Links Ireland in Doonbeg this week, and the Chilean posted the top score in the morning wave, carding a five-under-par 65 despite battling strong winds along the County Clare coastline.

Golf in this region offers distinct challenges, and while Donald Trump's resort doesn't qualify as a traditional links course, the weather was quintessentially Irish. President Trump will experience it firsthand when he visits this weekend.

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The winds whipping across and through the massive dunes created a formidable test, but it was one that Niemann - ranked second on LIV's all-time earnings list behind Jon Rahm - embraced. He possessed the necessary skill to navigate it.

"It's definitely a good challenge," he said. "You've got to hit those tee shots and keep it under the wind, left-to-right wind, right-to-left wind.

Joaquin Niemann is loving the challenge posed by Donald Trump's Doonbeg resort (Image: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

"I was talking with my caddie, like every shot into the wind, [the difficulty level was] just times a hundred, probably. So if it's a bad shot, it's a really bad shot.

"But if it's a good shot, it was so nice to see it. You know, it's just sexy hitting 8-iron, 7-iron, from 120, 130 yards. It's fun."

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Weather conditions will be crucial for the tournament's final rounds, and Niemann's opening round demonstrated he possesses the necessary skills. The 27 year old carded six birdies while recording only one bogey.

Niemann held a two-shot lead over the early starters (Image: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Milder conditions are expected for Friday, though winds will pick up again on Saturday, accompanied by the possibility of substantial rainfall.

Santiago's warmer temperatures feel distant, but Niemann is savoring his time in Ireland. "It's a really tricky course and a really fun golf course to play, especially with the Irish weather," he said.

"[I am] getting used to this weather and the rain. So, yeah, it was fun."

Niemann has delivered impressive performances on LIV, though he has found it challenging to replicate that form in competitions outside the breakaway circuit, which sought bankruptcy protection earlier this week as it attempts to restructure without Saudi Arabian funding.

The world No. 42, however, is focusing solely on his performance while LIV's fate awaits resolution in boardrooms and legal proceedings.

"I feel like there's so much I need to learn about my game and so much I need to improve," he added. "But I am just on that highway. I'm committed to get better and better every time. And I know I can. I know that there's a lot of room for improvement, so, yeah, I'm happy where it is right now, but there's a lot to work on."

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Source: “AOL Sports”