One of golf’s most exciting prospects, the 22-year-old Chilean Joaquin Niemann is already ranked in the top 30 in the world golf rankings.

Niemann marked his rookie season by winning ‘The Greenbrier Classic’ in White Sulphur Spring, West Virginia by a remarkable six shots in September 2019 and in doing so became the youngest international winner on the PGA Tour since 1923.

Such is Niemann’s burgeoning reputation, that he is only 60/1 with bet365* to win the forthcoming US Masters Championship. 

He might not quite register among the leading favourites for the tournament at those US Masters betting odds, but they do mark him down as a serious contender to pick up his first major. This is a player whom many seasoned observers and tipsters believe is destined for the top.

There was further cause for celebration with the arrival of a new-born cousin, Rafita Calderon, last October. 

However, initial joy was soon replaced by concern and worry when the baby was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare inherited disorder that stems from a defective gene that leads to the death of nerve cells responsible for moving muscles that allow us to walk, talk, breathe and swallow.

The only available cure is a gene therapy medicine called Zolgensma, which works by replacing a working copy of the defective gene into the nerve cells before they die and any symptoms develop.

Unfortunately, the one-time intravenous shot doesn’t come cheap at a cost of $2.1 million. It’s not known as “the world’s most expensive drug” for nothing.

“We started getting really worried about it and a little desperate because the only medicine and the only cure to help him live for more than two years would cost $2.1 million — we were going out of our minds,” Niemann told CNN.

That’s where Niemann came in. Whilst the infant’s father led the fundraising efforts back in Chile, Niemann set about doing his part on the PGA Tour.

He started by donating the $152,450 he won at the RSM Classic in November and adding $5,000 per birdie and $10,000 per eagle. 

By the time of the Mayakoba Classic in December, news of Niemann’s fundraising had spread and fellow pros were seen wearing white ribbons and supporting the cause on social media.

By February the money was in place and the baby received the necessary medicine. 

“With one shot he can create the protein to get muscles, he’s doing a lot better now and he can move … so hopefully he’ll be alright,” Niemann said.

The Chilean is currently playing some of the best golf of his fledgling career and he is tipped for more success in 2021. There will be few more popular winners on the PGA Tour should those golf betting predictions prove to be accurate.