Joaquin Niemann’s LIV Golf lead slashed after Harold Varner III fires stunning 65
Niemann remains two shots clear at LIV Golf New York, but Varner has piled the pressure on the Chilean heading into Sunday’s final round.
Joaquin Niemann's lead was trimmed from five to two shots in the third round of LIV Golf New York at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster.
The 27-year-old Chilean is eyeing a second triumph of the season, and a record ninth in league history.
Niemann carded a third-round 70 to reach 14-under par, although his advantage was cut significantly after Smash GC's Harold Varner III produced the round of the day.
Varner fired a superb 65 in tough conditions to climb to 12-under par, reducing Niemann's lead from five starting the day to just two shots heading into Sunday's final round.
Majesticks GC co-captain Lee Westwood remains in contention too at 10-under par, while Legion XIII's Tom McKibbin leads the rest of the chasing pack at 7-under par in solo fourth.
Fireballs GC captain Sergio Garcia birdied the final hole to round out the top five on 6-under par.
Garcia is using a broom putter for the first time in competition this week, something he spoke about to GolfMagic Editor Andy Roberts on Thursday.
The trio of Richard Bland, Thomas Pieters and Ben An are then a further shot back at 5-under par.
Pieters was left stunned on the 11th hole after a rowdy fan shouted out ‘Get in the hole!’ during his putt.
Position | Player Name | Score |
1 | Joaquin Niemann | -14 |
2 | Harold Varner III | -12 |
3 | Lee Westwood | -10 |
4 | Tom McKibbin | -7 |
5 | Sergio Garcia | -6 |
T6 | Thomas Detry | -5 |
T6 | Richard Bland | -5 |
T6 | Byeong-Hun An | -5 |
9 | Scott Vincent | -4 |
T10 | Paul Casey | -3 |
T10 | Lucas Herbert | -3 |
T10 | Song Young Han | -3 |
Niemann may not be in the same sort of form as he was throughout the 2025 season, where he claimed five individual titles, but it looks as though he is back to his best, despite a tough start to the third round.
"Yeah, I enjoyed it out there for sure," said Niemann after his round.
"Obviously not the best tee shot coming out to start the round, but just kind of -- yeah, it was kind of good to just be back into that moment.
"It was a little bit frustrating. I think I was able to handle it pretty good. Then being able to play the way that I played after missing a few putts that after that I could have made, yeah, pretty good round."
Niemann's round of 70 has given him a fantastic chance of victory, made even more impressive considering the blustery conditions.
“Coming out of a little rain delay, a 40-minute delay, made a good birdie there, but pretty tricky tee shot after that one. A little cold. But yeah, I felt like I was able to do it right. I think I can do it better, so hopefully tomorrow we'll have a good day.”
The Chilean already holds the LIV Golf record for eight individual wins, but he will have a golden chance to push things to nine on Sunday.
Varner has piled the pressure on Niemann though and remains in contention for a first LIV Golf title since May 2023.
"Well, I've been playing well the last couple few tournaments and I've been working hard, and I feel like things are just going my way, and you want to just keep it stacking and attacking, and I feel like I'm doing that as well," Varner told reporters after the round.
Niemann’s Torque GC also lead the way in the team competition and they are currently the only team to be under-par for 54 holes.
They hold a two-shot lead over Jon Rahm's Legion XIII.
Rahm sits at 3-over par in the individual event, while Bryson DeChambeau is even further back at 7-over par.
Rahm carded a 73 on Saturday, with DeChambeau an improved 70.
The pair are the only players still capable of winning the season-long Individual Championship, with Rahm currently holding the advantage with just two events remaining.
Rahm is also chasing a remarkable third consecutive Individual Championship title after joining LIV Golf in 2024.
