It’s an uncomfortable encounter.
The American Professional Golf (PGA) Tour Remnants and players transferred to LIV Golf, sponsored by Saudi Arabian capital, clash. On the 6th (local time), at the Augusta National Golf Club (par 72, 7545 yards) in Augusta, Georgia, USA, the first major tournament of the season, the 87th Masters, will be held in a battle of pride. It is the first Masters clash between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. A total of 88 players participated in this year’s Masters, of which 18 were from LIV Golf.
The major record of the two organizations is 1 win and 1 loss. Matt Fitzpatrick (England) and Cameron Smith (Australia) won last year’s US Open and Open, respectively. Since Smith moved to LIV Golf, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf shared one win each. The Masters holds special authority among the four major tournaments. The conditions for participation are difficult. This is the reason why it is called the ‘dream stage’ and ‘great battle’. Winning or losing in the Masters is a battle that cannot be yielded on both the PGA Tour and LIV golf.
World No. 1 and defending champion Scotty Scheffler (USA) is at the forefront of the PGA Tour. Schaeffler also ranked first in the predicted rankings announced ahead of the opening of the Masters by Golf Channel, an American golf media outlet. Schaeffler is showing off his peak skills by winning the 2nd win of the season and the 6th win of his career at the ‘Fifth Major’ The Players Championship last month.
World No. 2 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) challenges the ‘Career Grand Slam’ by winning four different major tournaments. World No. 3 Jon Rahm (Spain) is looking for his 4th win of the season. ‘Golf Emperor’ Tiger Woods (USA) is aiming for his 6th Masters title. Here, Kim Joo-hyung, Lim Seong-jae, Kim Si-woo, and Lee Kyung-hoon are also dreaming of a change. 안전놀이터
Against this, LIV Golf is pinning its hopes on Smith, the winner of the Open. Smith was the only LIV golfer to attend the official Masters press conference. “It’s a pity that I couldn’t participate in some of my favorite tournaments when I moved to LIV golf,” he said, “but I’m happy with my choice now.” He continued, “There are many good players in LIV golf.”
Phil Mickelson (USA), the oldest major champion, is also determined. He won three Masters in 2004, 2006 and 2010. Mickelson appeared in the Masters for 27 consecutive years from 1995 to 2021, but did not participate in last year’s tournament. Brooks Koepka, the winner of the 3rd LIV tournament that ended last week, Dustin Johnson (USA), former world No. 1 player, and Patrick Reed (USA), winner of the Masters in 2016, are also candidates for the championship that LIV Golf expects.