LIV star Joaquin Niemann: "That's not the way I would like to behave on the golf course"

Joaquin Niemann appeared to indicate the uncertainty surrounding LIV's future and a mini slump in form has led to the Chilean behaving inappropriately on the golf course after he tied the lead after 54 holes in Korea. 

The 27-year-old won five times in the league last season but is yet to enter the winner's circle in 2026. 

His best finish so far was a fourth placed finish in Singapore but the former PGA Tour member has set up an excellent chance to end his wait for an eighth LIV title at Asiad Country club. 

Niemann's four-under 66 saw him tie the lead with America's Talor Gooch.

Major champions Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith are also in contention

"Last year was an exceptional year," said Niemann. "Winning five times, it was pretty cool. Playing also with Jon [Rahm] almost every Sunday was a lot of fun, as well. A lot of learning.

"This year I feel like there's a lot of stuff going on, just how golf and how life works. I've just been learning every day, every week, every tournament. It's just great. I love the journey. I love the process. I love trying to get better. 

"I think this game is always going to test your patience, like you say. It's going to test a lot of things that you've got to kind of go through and understand that it works that way, and I feel like, yeah, that process right now where I get frustrated. 

"I got pretty frustrated yesterday, came back to my room pretty happy about it, and kind of breathed about it and thought about it, and that's not the way I would like to behave on the golf course."

Niemann added: "I feel like for me, every day is a learning experience, trying to be better. I know when I'm trying to be better, I know my game gets better and everything else goes that way.

"I just love the process of getting better, and I feel like that's the only way to live."

Gooch was LIV Golf's individual champion in 2023. His last victory in the league was in Spain last summer. 

The American could only manage a one-under 69 on Saturday. 

"Yesterday I didn't intend on making that many birdies, and it just happened," said Gooch. 

"You've got to stay patient and just wait for your time and hope that it comes, and it unfortunately didn't come much today, but that's why we stay patient. 

"Maybe tomorrow it'll come. This course, more than most courses, it's a little easier to stay patient out there."