Joaquin Niemann continued his domination of the 2025 LIV Golf season, winning for the fourth time in the first eight events after a sizzling bogey-free eight-under 63 in Virginia.
In a final round in which several of LIV Golf’s most recognisable names challenged for their first individual title since joining the league, the champion standing atop the podium on Sunday night at LIV Golf Virginia presented by Maaden was a repeat and familiar performer.
With the victory, the 26-year-old Torque GC Captain becomes the winningest individual golfer in LIV Golf history with six wins, all in his last 21 regular-season starts.
“Pretty cool to be in this place, in this position right now,” said Niemann after finishing at 15 under, one shot better than Graeme McDowell and Anirban Lahiri. “I’m pretty thankful.”
Niemann, the current individual points leader, wasn’t alone in setting records at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC won their second consecutive team title by two strokes over 4Aces GC, and in the process became the league’s all-time winningest team with eight victories, including the 2023 Team Championship.
“I didn’t know we’ve won eight times, which is pretty cool,” said DeChambeau, who shot 65 to go with the 68s shot by Lahiri, Paul Casey and Charles Howell III. “It’s a testament to these guys. The roster hasn’t changed.”
Sunday’s final round not only included two separate rain delays, but numerous compelling storylines, with Major winners such as McDowell, Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson and Martin Kaymer each vying for their first LIV Golf individual title. So was Lahiri, the 36-hole leader seeking his first worldwide win in 10 years.
It also included a couple of nine-under 62s by Lee Westwood and Ben Campbell, the latter setting a LIV Golf single-round record with seven consecutive birdies. There were also plenty of spectacular shots, including Mickelson’s side-facing 120-degree backward chip out of heavy greenside rough for a hole-out birdie late in his round.
“Vintage Phil,” noted DeChambeau, who had a close-up view in the same group. “Got to be one of the greatest shots I’ve ever seen in my entire life.”
“One of my better ones,” Mickelson said with an understated grin.
Meanwhile, during one 60-second stretch of action, DeChambeau chipped in for birdie at the 16th hole for the second time this week while Thomas Pieters buried a 62-foot birdie putt. Niemann, Watson and Lahiri were also making birdies.
At that point, six players were tied at 13 under with just a few holes left in the round. But Niemann was not to be denied. He came out of the second weather delay on fire, making four consecutive birdies from holes 14-17. None of his chasers could keep pace.
It was a continuation of his final-round dominance in his four wins, in which he’s shot a 27 under on those Sundays. The only new thing this Sunday was the location of his victory – it was Niemann’s first LIV Golf win in the US. His previous wins this season were in Adelaide, Singapore and Mexico City; last year, he won in Mayakoba and Jeddah.
“He’s just so good,” said McDowell, who shot a second consecutive 66 for his first podium finish. “He’s an absolute top-10 player in the world. You could argue top five. Phenomenal, phenomenal player.”
Likewise, the Crushers are a phenomenal team.
Although disappointed they weren’t able to sweep both trophies Sunday, DeChambeau’s current top form (top five finishes in each of his last six worldwide starts, including two Majors) and his veteran teammates’ rotating support – last month in Korea, it was Howell who pushed DeChambeau to his first win of the season – have them eyeing the top seed for the second consecutive year. They moved into second place behind Legion XIII.
Said DeChambeau: “We’re a beast of a team.”
Photo: LIV Golf
