Texas Open: Top 10 power rankings at TPC San Antonio

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SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 22: Joaquin Niemann of Chile celebrates with his caddie after a birdie putt on the 18th green during the final round of the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio AT&T Oaks Course on April 22, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

No, that’s not a Texas flag next to his name. The pride of Chile, 20-year-old Joaquin Niemann, showed well in his Texas Open debut in 2018.

He earned his card for 2018-19 in part from his solo sixth place finish at TPC San Antonio. That was one of five top-10s in 18 starts in 2018.

Niemann carded scores of 72-70-67-67. He was near the top in greens in regulation (70.83%) and gained 1.1 strokes per round on the greens. He’s also got enough length to gain an advantage.

Niemann will hope to summon what he found here in 2018 to get back on track.

He’s taken a step back this year with a T37 a couple weeks ago at the Valspar his highest finish. Niemann’s made five of eight cuts. This will be his third week in a row teeing it up.

He ranks 38th in strokes gained tee to green and 31st in approach. Niemann’s 138th in SG around the green and 287th in putting. These stats are understandable in that he’s playing every course he sees for the first time, second if he’s lucky. As he gets more comfortable on Tour and learns more of these green complexes, I like him to revert closer to the form that led him to No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

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