‘Wanted to Miss’: Frustrated Joaquin Niemann Nearly Gave Up After Distressing Masters Performance

“If I keep driving it well, I think it is going to serve me well.” – said an expectant Joaquin Niemann back in February after receiving the unexpected invitation for the Masters. Moreover, he would have been very hopeful of his fifth appearance at Augusta National after receiving the news. But, little did he know that, come round two of the major, he would be having a hard time with his gameplay!

Niemann was spotted responding to a query regarding the day’s play in an interview post the day’s play on Friday. Meanwhile, as he did so, the golfer made sure to express his frustration at the way he was playing, even going so far as to divulge how he felt like missing the cut because of his performance!

Joaquin Niemann comes out candid on his Friday performanceADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

“I almost felt like I wanted to miss it the way I was playing,” confessed the LIV Golf Pro while alluding to the cut after what can be dubbed a sub-par round 2 for the Chilean at 78. Interestingly, he felt so even after the golfer knew where he stood in relation to the cutline down the stretch, well above the 50th place and safe for playing at the iconic course for the weekend.

However, Niemann admitted that he tried getting back up on his feet in the second nine on Friday all the while hoping for a better weekend at Augusta. Elaborating on the same, he said, “It is what it is. I feel like I was trying to get myself up in the last couple holes knowing that, you never know, I could have the best two rounds of my life and have a chance.”

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest Golf stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Adding on, the Chilean mentioned, “But I think that’s the way I want to think,” alluding to the hope he had towards the day’s end. “I knew I could still make birdies on the last couple holes, and I hit good shots,” said Niemann while recounting the birdie he made on the par-4 Holly (No.18).

Article continues below this ad

USA Today via Reuters

Anyhow, despite a good start to his fifth Masters appearance, the golfer couldn’t manage to keep the lead on the scorecard leading to him being pushed down to T35 after the second round. Meanwhile, it truly makes one curious as to the performance the LIV golfer dished out which he himself felt frustrated at.

Niemann’s performance at the 2024 MastersADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The professional managed to register a figure of 4-over par over the two days of play at Augusta National. What’s more, he did so while carding scores of 70-78 on the iconic par-72 course all the while placing himself at T35 on Friday. Interestingly, Niemann carded a total of seven birdies over the two days, five of which came on Thursday when he finished the round with a 2-under 70.

But, he couldn’t replicate the same in the second round, falling behind on the leaderboard owing to six bogeys and a double bogey, the last of which came on the par-4 White Dogwood (No.11). Well, it seems the week that Joaquin Niemann was looking forward to when he received the unexpected Masters Invitation came out a bit differently than he hoped it to be. Regardless, he still has a chance to finish better or even rake in the title with the remaining rounds. However, the LIV Golf Pro would need to dish out his best!