Mickelson calls Niemann the top golfer globally

Phil Mickelson praised Joaquin Niemann for his strong performance at LIV Golf Singapore, where Niemann won by five shots over Brooks Koepka. This victory was Niemann’s fourth in the LIV Golf series and his second title in just three tournaments. Mickelson, who finished tied for 19th in the event, called Niemann the best golfer in the world. Niemann's team celebrated the win with a post that referred to him as a top player. Mickelson responded by stating, “Top 5? Try #1.” This comment sparked debate, as Niemann is currently ranked No.82 in the Official World Golf Rankings due to LIV events not being included in the ranking system. Despite his successes in LIV Golf, Niemann has not yet performed well in Major tournaments, with only one top-20 finish in those events. Wayne "Radar" Riley, a former two-time DP World Tour winner, expressed doubt about Mickelson’s claim during a Sky Sports Golf Podcast. He argued that Niemann is a great golfer but not among the top players in the world. Mickelson also made headlines by suggesting that world No.1 Scottie Scheffler, who won nine events last year, will not win before the Ryder Cup in 2025. This prediction raised eyebrows, and Riley questioned Mickelson's intentions behind such statements, noting that they often attract attention.