Joaquin Niemann, golf’s top-ranked amateur who is making his pro debut this week, signed endorsement deals with Adidas Golf for headwear, apparel and footwear and Ping for equipment.
Hailing from Santiago, Chile, Niemann enters the professional ranks following a successful amateur career. He won the 2015 IMG Junior World Championship at the famed South Course at Torrey Pines Golf Course and then defended his title the following year. He’s also a former Rolex Junior All-American as part of the American Junior Golf Association, adding three consecutive victories in AJGA events last year alone. He also competed in the 2017 Greenbrier Classic on the PGA TOUR, where he made the cut as an amateur and finished tied for 29th.
He finished the 2017 season as the No. 1-ranked amateur in the world, earning him the Mark H. McCormack Medal. Niemann will make his professional debut this week at the Valero Texas Open.
Niemann becomes just the second 19-year-old to sign with Adidas Golf behind Sergio Garcia, who signed with Adidas in 1999.
“Adidas works with the top players in the world; it’s the biggest brand in Chile, and I wanted to be a part of that,” said Niemann. “I look down at my shirt and see the Adidas logo and I feel really proud to be wearing it. I could also tell the difference immediately–everything, from head-to-toe, is beautiful and I just feel better swinging the club.”
The signing of Niemann brings another marquee name to a young crop of players to compete in Adidas Golf footwear and apparel. He joins fellow Adidas athletes Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, Haotong Li and Sam Burns–all winners on their respective tours–who are under 25 years old.
“Joaquin plays the game his own way and has an almost surreal ability to call upon his talents when he’s under pressure in search of a win,” said Tim McNulty, global sports marketing director, Adidas Golf. “You can tell that he is going to be a special player at the next level and we’re looking forward to helping him along the way so he can compete at his best.”
The Ping deal requires Niemann to play a minimum of 11 Ping clubs and carry a staff bag with the company’s logo. He will have Ping’s G400 LST driver, G400 3-wood and hybrid, iBlade irons, Glide 2.0 wedge and a Karsten Anser 2 putter in the bag this week at TPC San Antonio.
“Ping has a great reputation and I like being associated with them because their technology allows me to play my best golf,” Niemann said. “I have so much confidence in Ping, and their people who’ve supported me are like family. They know my game really well and can make the necessary adjustments to get the most out of every round I play. Having the backing of Ping means everything.”
“Joaquin is an exciting young player who won virtually every prestigious junior title and then rose to be the world’s top amateur, so we’re proud to be associated with that level of talent and accomplishment,” said Ping president John K. Solheim said. “His skill is amazing, and he’s shown the consistency and dedication to separate himself. We’ve known Joaco for years, and to watch him play you can see why he’s been successful at every step in his journey.”
Photo courtesy Ping
