Joaquin Niemann dumps caddie and coach in huge shake up ahead of LIV Golf UK

LIV Golf's Joaquin Niemann has dumped both his caddie and coach after missing the cut at the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush.

The update was confirmed to GolfMagic by Golf Lovers United GC ahead of this week's LIV Golf UK at JCB in Uttoxeter, England. 

Niemann, 26, bogeyed three of the last six holes during the second round of The Open en route to a 3-over 74 last Friday. 

It saw the record six-time LIV Golf winner fall to 2-over par at golf's final major of the season and miss the cut by one shot. 

A frustrated Niemann trudged off the back of the 18th green and then angrily stomped on his golf bag, narrowly missing his caddie's hand. 

After missing the cut at The Open, Niemann made the decision to axe his caddie Gary Matthews, who had been on his bag ever since the 2020 US Open.

Niemann's new caddie, according to Golf Lovers United GC, will now be his good friend Diego Salinas, who is a professional on the Chilean Golf Tour. 

The caddie is not the only big change Niemann has made on the eve of LIV Golf UK at JCB. 

Niemann has also parted ways with his golf coach, Eduardo Miquel, who had worked with him ever since turning pro in 2018. 

His new coach is unknown at this stage. 

The dramatic changes to the Chilean's team will come as a surprise to many given Niemann has won four times on LIV Golf this season. 

But despite an impressive run of results on the breakaway league, Niemann has missed the last two cuts in the majors.

Niemann shot a pair of 75s to miss the cut at the US Open at Oakmont in June, a month before carding rounds of 70 and 74 to miss the cut at The Open. 

He fared better in the season's other two majors with a T29 at The Masters in April and a solid T8 at the PGA Championship in May. 

In his last two tournaments on LIV Golf, Niemann, who is the captain of Torque GC, finished T23 in Dallas and Andalucia. 

"I think the changes all stem from his major performances," Golf Lovers United GC, which is run by Pro Golf Critic and Golf Lover UK, told GolfMagic at LIV Golf UK on Wednesday. 

"I know he was super frustrated to miss the cut at both the US Open and The Open. 

"It's something we've been talking about for a little bit but he needed to make some changes, maybe his strategy and changing how he approaches some of these rounds, and the caddie and coach is part and parcel of that.

"Joaqo really wants to get to that next level. Even though he's had a super successful LIV season, to get to that next level you've sometimes got to make other changes and I think that's what driving it." 

Niemann will now look to bounce back to form at LIV Golf UK at JCB in England. 

He starts the week as the fourth favourite in the betting market at best odds of 9/1. 

Bryson DeChambeau is the tournament favourite (5/1), narrowly ahead of defending champion Jon Rahm (11/2) and English home favourite Tyrrell Hatton (13/2). 

Check out our LIV Golf UK betting tips.