Joaquin Niemann should be confident for third Augusta visit after Genesis glory

Joaquin Niemann has become a general 50-1 chance for the Masters after defeating the best field of the year with a two-shot triumph in the Genesis Invitational on Sunday night.

Niemann, 60-1 winner of the Genesis after rounds of 63, 63, 68 and 71, is a 23-year-old bursting with potential. He missed the cut on his Masters debut in 2018 when still an amateur, then finished tied for 40th last year in his first Augusta start as a professional.

Niemann, who was world-number-one amateur for 44 weeks, won his second PGA Tour title at Riviera on Sunday - starring in an event which featured the top 11 players in the world. The Chilean youngster received the trophy from tournament host Tiger Woods, moving up to 20th in the world rankings.

The Masters - the first Major of the year - starts on April 7. Jon Rahm remains world number one and is 8-1 Masters favourite, although the Spaniard will have been disappointed with his Genesis effort - a share of 21st place. Collin Morikawa is close behind Rahm in the rankings after finishing runner-up to Niemann in last week's high-class California gathering.

The DP World Tour is inactive again this week, so all eyes will focus on the PGA Tour as the circuit moves from the West Coast, with the Honda Classic starting the Florida Swing. Brooks Koepka, Shane Lowry, Louis Oosthuizen, Patrick Reed, Daniel Berger and Tommy Fleetwood have entered the Honda. Niemann is also teeing up.

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