Joaquin Niemann

Joaquin Niemann will play in his seventh consecutive Open when golf's original championship returns to Royal Birkdale this summer.

The Chilean, who this year recorded his best major finish with a tie for seventh at the US Open, earned his place at The 154th Open through his position on the LIV Golf standings.

In 2017, aged just 18, Niemann was the first South American to top the world amateur rankings, and by staying there to the end of that season he was awarded the Mark McCormack Medal. With it he gained an exemption into The 147th Open.

He was unable to compete after turning professional following The Masters, to which he had earned an invitation as Latin America amateur champion. However he was called into the field for Royal Portrush the following season when 2004 Champion Golfer Todd Hamilton withdrew.

That same year he became the first Chilean to appear in the Presidents Cup and claimed the first of two PGA Tour titles. He then joined the LIV Golf circuit and has since won eight times on the Tour.