Joaquin Niemann wins LIV Adelaide as Cam Smith's Aussie team Ripper GC fails to fire

Chilean golfer Joaquin Niemann delivered an outstanding performance at the LIV Golf Adelaide tournament, securing the championship with a stunning final round. Niemann shot a 7-under-par 65 on Sunday at The Grange Golf Club, finishing two strokes ahead of Mexican player Abraham Ancer.

Niemann concluded the tournament with a total score of 13-under-par, earning a winner's prize of $4 million (AU$6.29 million). Ancer maintained the lead for most of the final round, but bogeys on the 14th and 17th holes led to him finishing at 11-under-par.

Spaniards David Puig and Carlos Ortiz tied for third place with scores of 9-under-par. Richard Bland finished fifth at 8-under-par, followed closely by former world number one Jon Rahm at 7-under-par. Niemann played a flawless final round, carding seven birdies, marking his third victory on the LIV Golf tour.

Marc Leishman was the highest-ranked Australian player, finishing in a tie for 21st place at 3-under-par. Leishman, Cameron Smith (1-under-par), Lucas Herbert (even par), and Matt Jones (3-over-par) were unsuccessful in defending Ripper GC's team title. The all-Australian team finished with a combined score of 1-under-par, trailing the champion team Fireballs GC, led by Spanish star Sergio Garcia and including Ancer, by a significant 21 strokes.

Notably, Niemann's victory coincides with Adelaide securing the rights to host the LIV Golf event through 2031. The event will continue to be held at The Grange, with the latest competition drawing over 100,000 spectators, until 2028, after which it will move to a city course redeveloped by Greg Norman.