In a thrilling conclusion at the LIV Golf Mayakoba, Joaquin Niemann emerged victorious over Sergio Garcia on the fourth play-off hole, contested amidst near darkness in Mexico. Niemann had a chance to secure victory in regulation but missed a critical birdie putt at the 18th, leading to the intense play-off.
Both players matched par on the par-four 18th for three rounds before Niemann clinched the title with a birdie on the fourth attempt, describing the moment as "freaking awesome" and recalling envisioning the winning putt on the practice grounds.
Despite the option to continue the fourth play-off hole on Monday due to fading light, both Niemann and Garcia chose to press on. Reflecting on the situation, Niemann remarked, "I thought it was going to take a little bit [longer]. You never know what's going to happen, but I was expecting to go as fast as I could." The golfer's determination paid off as he delivered a well-executed shot and sank the decisive putt, securing the victory.
Spain's Jon Rahm, making his LIV Golf debut, narrowly missed joining the play-off after a bogey-bogey finish, settling for third place on 10-under, two shots behind Niemann and Garcia. Tyrell Hatton, another LIV debutant from England, finished tied for eighth on seven-under.
The newly formed team Legion XIII, consisting of Hatton, Rahm, Zimbabwe's Kieran Vincent, and American Caleb Surratt, claimed the team title on 24 under for the week, securing a four-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau's Crushers GC.
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