Niemann’s International Series success

Chilean golfer Joaquin Niemann completed arguably the finest season of his career by winning the $US5 million Saudi International following a memorable play-off victory, filled with drama, against Cam Smith and Caleb Surratt.

Niemann made a brilliant birdie, off the back of an exquisite lob shot to a foot, on the second play-off hole to triumph at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia, after both Smith and Surrat missed theirs from close range.

The victory, worth $US1 million, also saw him claim The International Series rankings, after an incredibly close finish to the race.

Niemann, Surratt and Smith all birdied the first hole of the play-off – the par-four 18th. Shortly before that, Niemann and Surratt, paired in the last group, both unexpectedly bogeyed the last to fall back into a tie with Smith on 21-under.

Niemann, the leader at the start of the day by one, closed with a four under par 67, Surratt shot a 66 while Smith, seemingly out of the running playing in the sixth from last group, stormed through with a 62.

It was a thrilling finish to the season-ending event on the Asian Tour and The International Series, which is also the most lucrative event of the season.

“I enjoy being in that position, but there’s times that it takes a little bit longer. It was a good day. Caleb and me, we played great,” said Niemann.

“Never thought we were going to be in a play-off with Cam Smith. He was early. An hour before us when he was done. I thought we were going to stay away from 21-under, but you never know in golf.”

He got off to the perfect start with birdies on the first three holes and appeared on course for the win before dropping a shot on 14. On the 18th he found trouble off the tee and hacked his second out of some small trees and into the fairway before missing a tricky five-footer for the outright win.

Surrat made bogey after pushing his tee shot into the lake on the right. It was a calamitous finish in contrast to Smith who made birdie there.

His success meant American Peter Uihlein and Ben Campbell from New Zealand finished second and third on The International Rankings, respectively.