Joaquin Niemann makes ‘incredible’ PGA Tour admission amid LIV Golf uncertainty

Joaquin Niemann has admitted a return to the PGA Tour would be "incredible" as the LIV Golf star weighs up whether to remain with the breakaway league beyond 2026.

The Torque GC captain is yet to make a decision on his future and has revealed he is considering leaving LIV Golf, playing on the DP World Tour and attempting to work his way back to the PGA Tour.

Niemann was speaking after winning the Chile Open by four shots, adding another significant victory to his career as speculation continues to swirl around his future.

His latest comments come at a pivotal moment for LIV Golf, with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) having now pulled the plug on its five-year backing of the league.

LIV Golf is therefore racing against time to secure a new investor for 2027 and beyond, with private equity firm BC Partners ready to take the reins for the proposed LIV 2.0.

But with some of the league's biggest stars potentially considering their own futures, keeping its leading players could prove crucial to the next phase.

Niemann is among those yet to commit.

GolfMagic understands LIV players have been given until October 18 to decide whether they want to commit to LIV 2.0, but the record nine-time LIV Golf winner has admitted he is still weighing up his options.

Speaking to Chilean publication La Tercera, Niemann revealed that he is considering staying with LIV or heading to Europe with the eventual aim of returning to the PGA Tour.

"The truth is, I'm still deciding what to do; whether I want to stay and believe in what's happening in the league or go play more in Europe and from there try to get on the PGA Tour," Niemann said.

"So, those are my two options in the end. I'll have to make a decision in a couple of weeks."

A return to the PGA Tour would be a significant change for Niemann, who won twice on the circuit before joining LIV Golf in 2022.

And while he accepts that the PGA Tour currently has rules preventing an immediate comeback, Niemann made it clear that he would welcome the opportunity if the door were to open.

Asked whether he had spoken to the PGA Tour about a potential return, Niemann said: "No, they have their rules and the truth is there's nothing that can be done."

But he then delivered perhaps his clearest indication yet that a return to his former home would appeal to him.

"Obviously, if they can open a door for me somehow, that would be incredible," Niemann said.

"And if not, it will open eventually. In the end, they're going to need good players, and competition always demands having the best players together."

Niemann's comments also provide an insight into why he is yet to commit to the proposed LIV 2.0 model.

Players are expected to have a stake in the league under the new structure, but Niemann is unsure whether that is the right long-term option for him at this stage of his career.

"I think both have their very positive aspects, being part of a league, being part of the league's percentage," he said.

"Knowing that it's something that I think could take a couple of years, I don't know if it's something I want to do at this stage of my career. So, these are questions I have to ask myself before making a decision."

Should Niemann ultimately walk away from LIV Golf, he would play on the DP World Tour in 2027 before attempting to find a route back to the PGA Tour.

However, that path would not be straightforward.

As it stands, LIV players are suspended from the PGA Tour for 12 months before they can return, meaning Niemann would have to serve that period before becoming eligible.

Nevertheless, the prospect of returning to the PGA Tour clearly remains attractive to the Chilean.

Niemann has become one of LIV Golf's most successful players since joining the league, winning a record nine times individually. 

His potential departure would therefore represent a major blow to LIV, particularly with the likes of Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Sergio Garcia also having been linked with exits in recent reports.

For now, though, Niemann insists he has not made up his mind.

With the October 18 deadline approaching, he must decide whether to put his faith in LIV Golf's next chapter or take the longer road back towards the PGA Tour.

But one thing is clear: if that PGA Tour door does eventually open, Niemann believes walking through it would be "incredible".