Niemann’s Hole-in-One Ignites Australian PGA
The Australian PGA Championship was set ablaze by a spectacular hole-in-one from Chilean golfer Joaquin Niemann on Thursday.
The 22-year-old, who is currently ranked 31st in the world, aced the par-three 15th hole at the Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane during the first round of the tournament.
Niemann’s shot was met with cheers and applause from the crowd, as well as a fist pump from the young golfer himself.
“It was a perfect shot,” Niemann said. “I hit a seven iron and it was right on line from the start. It was a great feeling to see it go in.”
The hole-in-one was the highlight of Niemann’s round, which also included four birdies and two bogeys. He finished the day with a score of three-under 69, putting him in a tie for 11th place.
Niemann’s ace was the first of the tournament and the second of his professional career. His first hole-in-one came at the 2019 Greenbrier Classic on the PGA Tour.
The Chilean golfer is no stranger to success, having won the 2018 Latin America Amateur Championship and the 2018 Junior Players Championship. He also made history in 2018 by becoming the first Chilean to win on the PGA Tour at the Greenbrier Classic.
Niemann’s impressive performance at the Australian PGA Championship has put him in contention for the title, which is currently held by Australian golfer Cameron Smith.
Smith, who is ranked 25th in the world, is aiming to become the first player to win back-to-back Australian PGA titles since Robert Allenby in 2001 and 2002.
However, he will face tough competition from the likes of Niemann, as well as other top-ranked players such as Adam Scott and Marc Leishman.
The Australian PGA Championship, which is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and the European Tour, has a total prize pool of $1.5 million. The winner will take home $270,000 and the coveted Kirkwood Cup.
The tournament, which has been held since 1905, has a rich history and has been won by some of the biggest names in golf, including Greg Norman, Adam Scott, and Peter Thomson.
With Niemann’s hole-in-one setting the tone for an exciting tournament, golf fans can expect to see some thrilling competition over the next few days as the players battle it out for the Australian PGA title.
