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SPORTS Monday 16 SepteMber 2019
Chile's Niemann wins by 6 shots at The Greenbrier

By JOHN RABY ginia with his caddie in an at 20 years, 2 months.
AP Sports Writer off-road vehicle. Hoge shot 65 and finished
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, "I was just feeling like I was second at 15 under. We-
W.Va. (AP) — Joaquin Nie- going to win the tourna- renski faded to a 69 and
mann is going to give In- ment from the first day," he finished in a four-way tie
ternational Team captain said. "I was in that mindset." for third at 14 under, along
Ernie Els something to think Niemann is the first third- with Brian Harman (65),
about when he makes his round leader to win at The Harris English (67) and Nate
captain's picks for the Presi- Greenbrier since its debut Lashley (69).
dents Cup. in 2010. He shot 64 in the Hoge fell short in another
Niemann became the first final round for the third chance at an elusive first
player from Chile to win on straight year. win. At the 2018 Sony Open,
the PGA Tour, shooting a He told himself before the he lost a one-shot lead with
6-under 64 on Sunday for a round started to go out three holes to play, finished
six-stroke victory in A Military and have fun. third and missed a playoff.
Tribute at The Greenbrier. "I was just trying not to think Hoge birdied five of his first Joaquin Niemann, of Chile, holds the winners trophy as he cel-
The 20-year-old Niemann of anything else," Niemann eight holes Sunday, then ebrates winning the A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier golf tour-
entered the final round of said. "My caddie made me birdied the 568-yard 12th nament in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
the season opener with a laugh to try to forget about hole to temporarily join Nie- Associated Press
two-stroke lead and held it. The last couple of holes I mann at 16 under before
off challenges from Tom was feeling great." making bogeys on two of year," Hoge said. putts of 9 feet at No. 12 and
Hoge and Richy Weren- It marks the first year since his next three holes. Niemann made a short a curling 13-footer at No. 13
ski. Niemann birdied the 1931 that there has been "A couple bad shots I birdie putt on the par-4 that prompted a fist pump
final three holes to finish at more than one tour winner would like to have back, 10th to forge ahead for to push his lead to four.
21-under 259 at Old White under 21. Matthew Wolff but it was a good week good. He saved par from 6 There would be more bursts
TPC, which has quickly be- won the 3M Open in June and good way to start the feet at No. 11, made birdie of joy down the stretch.q
come one of his favorite
venues.
"I just never thought this
moment was possible," Nie-
mann said. "I can't wait to
go back home and cele-
brate with all of my friends."
While eight players already
qualified for the Interna-
tional Team that will play
the U.S. team in Decem-
ber at Royal Melbourne
in Australia, Els will choose
the four remaining team
International members the
week of Nov. 4.
"Being on the Presidents
Cup is just a dream,"
Niemann said. "It's a re-
ally good team this year.
There's a lot of good play-
ers fighting for those spots.
This win definitely helps."
Niemann grew up in San-
tiago, Chile, won a pair of
junior world titles and was
the No. 1 ranked amateur
in the world before turning
pro in 2018. He played his
first full season on tour in
2019, finishing No. 67 in the
FedEx Cup standings.
In 2017, Niemann finished
tied for 29th as an amateur
at The Greenbrier after re-
ceiving a sponsor's exemp-
tion. He improved to a tie
for fifth in 2018.
Niemann said the resort's
dozens of amenities have
steered his mind away from
the pressure of golf. Among
the activities he partici-
pated in before the tourna-
ment started was exploring
the rugged side of West Vir-