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The 19-year-old from Chile became the first man
since Anthony Kim in 2006 to post a top-10 in his pro debut on
the PGA Tour, according to the tour.
Kim tied for second at the Texas Open 12 years ago, going on to
win three times on tour and playing on the victorious American
Ryder Cup team in 2008.
Looking remarkably assured in his first pay-for-play appearance,
Niemann used his textbook swing and confident putting stroke to
card a five-under-par 67 at TPC Antonio.
He closed with three straight birdies, holing an eight-foot putt
at the par-five 18th to finish at 12-under 276, five strokes
behind American winner Andrew Landry.
"It's amazing. It's really nice to be standing with the best
players in the world and be on the leaderboard," Niemann told
CBS television.
He was particularly pleased with his putting.
"Before this week my game was really good. Just my putter wasn't
good enough. Starting this week, my putter was working really
well," Niemann said.
Niemann was the world's top-ranked amateur when he turned pro
after missing the cut at the Masters two weeks ago.
He played on a sponsor exemption in San Antonio, and has
accepted invitations to several other tournaments.
Courtesy of his top-10 finish, Niemann also qualified for the
Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina in two
weeks.
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina, editing by Ed
Osmond)
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