Can LIV Golf players participate in Masters in 2023?
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LIV Golf players added to Masters eligibility list
Following plenty disputes between the LIV Golf players and the PGA Tour players, both circuit players are allowed to compete in the 2023 Augusta Masters. Currently, the players playing in the Saudi-backed events were banned from participating in any event hosted by PGA tour authorities.
The club has issued a statement notifying that each player who fulfils the criterion to enter for the tournament will be invited to the grand stage from 6th April. Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley said that it is time for Men’s golf to unite and leave behind differences.
“Regrettably, recent actions have divided men’s professional golf by diminishing the virtues of the game and the meaningful legacies of those who built it, although we are disappointed in these developments, our focus is to honor the tradition of bringing together a preeminent field of golfers this coming April.”
An 83-player list has been made public and it contains 16 names who were present in the Saudi money backed LIV Golf. The players who were previously banned had six green jacket winners amidst them. Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed and Charl Schwartzel.
Also Read: Bubba Watson reveals “fear of the unknown” kept from signing with Saudi-backed LIV Golf Tour
16 LIV Golf players sanctioned to be part of The Masters in 2023
Chairman Fred Ridley added to his statement, “Therefore, as invitations are sent this week, we will invite those eligible under our current criteria to compete in the 2023 Masters Tournament. As we have said in the past, we look at every aspect of the Tournament each year, and any modifications or changes to invitation criteria for future Tournaments will be announced in April.”
LIV Gold players have been criticized throughout the year for joining the event in order to chase money. Cam Smith is an LIV player who has already qualified for the Augusta Masters. He won this years Players Championship and British Open. He won these events before turning his back on PGA Tour. Top LIV players to get a chance to play with Rory McIlroy joked Paige Spiranac.
Such decisions were important to hold the integrity of Masters events. Such events cannot be caught in the feud between LIV Golf and PGA Tour. Augusta National Chairman indicated that the ranking systems might be resolved come April.
Also Read: Rory McIlory eyes 2023 season for 8th Major win amid PGA vs LIV war
Also Read: Tiger Woods hopeful for 2023 Major return as he focuses on foot recovery after PNC Championship
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Yagya Bhargava
(611 Articles Published)