While the Masters Tournament that kicks off this Thursday is usually an opportunity to showcase golf’s prestige and heritage, there will be a foreign dynamic this year, as PGA players will have to share the course with players on the LIV Golf circuit. For golf neophytes, here is what you need to know about this file to be in the know.
“We will invite all eligible players based on the criteria in place to play the Masters Tournament in 2023.”
These words are from Fred Ridley, Tournament Chairman. Players on the LIV Golf circuit will officially be able to take part in the biggest tournament of the season. Ridley is fully aware of the tensions that exist in the world of professional golf. The proof ? He never names the name of the Saudi circuit, like the characters in Harry Potter do to conjure up you-know-who.
Ridley finds himself between the tree and the bark. On the one hand, he wants the best players in the world at the tournament, and some of them are among the deserters. On the other hand, he doesn’t want to alienate the PGA Tour. So not promoting the Saudi circuit too much allows it to stay on the right side of the force. It remains that these new rivals will have to rub shoulders and there will certainly be sparks.
Prepare your popcorn (except for those who eat it with something other than butter).
“At the end of the day, golf is more important than any player or any tour. »
Louis Oosthuizen is one of the players on the LIV Golf circuit with the best chances of ending up in the top group. He has slowed down, yes, but he is still at the top of his game in important tournaments. He won the British Open once, but he also finished second in major tournaments six times.
The majority of LIV players are aging players or more or less obscure players aware of their minimal, if any, chances of winning on the PGA Tour. Some players, however, might come and spoil the party. Cameron Smith tops the list. Last year, he won the British Open, in addition to finishing third at the Masters Tournament.
Former champions will also parade on Magnolia Lane in the colors of LIV Golf, such as Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed and Charl Scwartzel.
“As long as you meet the tournament eligibility criteria, you should play. »
Bryson DeChambeau will be one of 16 players on the LIV circuit to be able to participate and meet the many eligibility criteria. Abraham Ancer, Talor Gooch, Brooks Koepka, Jason Kokrak, Kevin Na, Joaquin Niemann, Louis Oosthuizen, Smith and Harold Varner III are the others.
“Augusta is hard enough without thinking about all those little things. »
Players on the LIV circuit, starting with Garcia, Koepka and DeChambeau, believe there will be no tension between the players. According to them, the media and fans are making a big deal out of this alleged rivalry between the two circuits.
However, again in the last few days, Rory McIlroy, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Tiger Woods have again expressed reservations about the presence of players from the LIV circuit in Grand Slam tournaments. Recently, McIlroy and Reed also had a bit of a falling out at the Dubai tournament.
Currently, the players on the Saudi circuit give the impression of having the certainty of arriving there and being welcomed with open arms. But PGA Tour players seem to be giving them a much colder reception than they expect.
