This year, the 2024 Masters brings together the talents of both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, marking the first time the pros from both tours will compete together. Here, we present the list of LIV golfers who have qualified for the Masters.
Brooks Koepka has achieved remarkable success in his eight Masters starts, finishing T11 or better in four of them.
AUGUSTA, Ga. — As professional golf finds itself in the midst of a war, Masters week arrives with the sport’s two leading tours, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, still operating separately and a seemingly endless list of unanswered questions.
While the players retain a degree of cordiality towards each other, it doesn’t bring us any closer to witnessing the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund finalizing their proposed merger, a development that has been eagerly anticipated for the past 10 months.
At this stage, the players are beginning to acknowledge the need for change. With split stars and weaker fields, the future of the sport is at stake.
“There needs to be a correction. I think what’s happening is not sustainable right now, so something needs to happen to try to bring it all back together so we can all move forward and overcome this ongoing division,” stated Rory McIlroy during a recent press conference with Golf Monthly. “As the tours continue to divert in different directions, I fail to see how that benefits anyone in the long run.”
There is much more to explore regarding the uncertain future of professional golf, with players discussing the matter in their press conferences, and Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley is scheduled to address the media on Wednesday, shedding light on his perspective.
Nevertheless, this week, we are finally treated to the sight of the world’s best golfers teeing it up at the same time, in the same tournament. While last year’s Masters featured eighteen LIV players, this year that number stands at thirteen (with Joaquin Niemann receiving a special exemption). The decline is largely attributed to LIV Golf’s failure to receive World Ranking points (which they later withdrew their application for). Consequently, anyone who did not qualify through other means, such as past major wins, lost the OWGR points necessary to secure an entry.
Among last year’s LIV players who qualified for the Masters, Harold Varner III, Talor Gooch, Abraham Ancer, Mito Pereira, Thomas Pieters, Jason Kokrak, Louis Oosthuizen, and Kevin Na did not receive invitations this year. It’s worth noting that Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Adrian Meronk are a part of LIV Golf now, despite not being affiliated when they played in last year’s Masters.
Nevertheless, there is a level of expectation for this year’s roster of thirteen LIV players to replicate their success at Augusta. Rahm, who won his first green jacket in 2023, can now be claimed by LIV Golf, despite being on the PGA Tour at the time. Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka, undoubtedly two of the biggest names at LIV, each tied for second place behind Rahm. Additionally, Patrick Reed, who secured victory at the Masters in 2018, was involved in a three-way tie for fourth place.
Now, let us take a look at the list of LIV golfers competing in the 2024 Masters, along with the various means through which they qualified. It is essential to highlight that several individuals earned their spots through multiple qualification criteria.
- Bryson DeChambeau – U.S. Open Exemption
- Sergio Garcia – Past Champion
- Tyrrell Hatton – 2023 Tour Championship Qualifier
- Dustin Johnson – Past Champion
- Brooks Koepka – PGA Championship Exemption
- Adrian Meronk – 2023 Top 50 Official World Golf Ranking
- Phil Mickelson – Past Champion
- Joaquin Niemann – Special Invitation
- Jon Rahm – Past Champion
- Patrick Reed – Past Champion
- Charl Schwartzel – Past Champion
- Cameron Smith – Open Championship Exemption
- Bubba Watson – Past Champion
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How many LIV golfers qualified for the 2024 Masters?
Thirteen LIV golfers have qualified for this year’s Masters tournament.
Which LIV golfer received a special exemption to compete in the Masters?
Joaquin Niemann received a special invitation to participate in the Masters.
Did any LIV golfers miss out on an invitation this year?
Yes, Harold Varner III, Talor Gooch, Abraham Ancer, Mito Pereira, Thomas Pieters, Jason Kokrak, Louis Oosthuizen, and Kevin Na did not receive invitations to this year’s Masters.
How did LIV Golf’s failure to receive World Ranking points impact its players?
LIV Golf’s failure to gain World Ranking points resulted in those players who did not qualify through other means losing the required OWGR points for entry.
Which LIV player won the green jacket at last year’s Masters?
Jon Rahm emerged victorious and secured his first green jacket at the Masters in 2023.
How did Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka perform at the previous Masters?
Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka both excelled, finishing tied for second place behind Jon Rahm.
Who won the Masters in 2018?
Patrick Reed claimed victory at the Masters in 2018.
Which championships granted exemption to LIV golfers?
LIV golfers qualified for the Masters through various exemptions, including the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, and the Open Championship.
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