The Masters: Patrick Reed insists on ‘business as usual’ when LIV and PGA Tour players meet in Augusta | Golf News

There are 17 members of LIV Golf currently competing at the Masters, including former winners Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson and reigning Open champion Cameron Smith; Watch the opening major of the year at Augusta National April 6-9 exclusively live on Sky Sports Golf

Patrick Reed insists there will be no animosity between the members of LIV Golf and their PGA Tour counterparts when players from both tours face off at the Masters.

Reed is among six LIV players to hold a lifetime exemption for Augusta National as a former Masters champion, with the likes of Cameron Smith, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau also eligible after winning a major in the last five. years.

All members of the Saudi-backed circuit who remain eligible under the tournament entry criteria have still received an invitation to the opening men’s major of the year, exclusively live from April 6-9 on Sky Sports Golf, with 17 LIV players ready to get involved with Les Maîtres.

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Dame Laura Davies has welcomed the decision to allow golfers who have joined LIV Golf to play the Masters in 2023

“It’s one of those things, the media and the storylines are obviously going to be LIV vs. PGA Tour and all that kind of stuff,” Reed said ahead of the final LIV Golf League event in Orlando.

“But really the majors, it’s all the guys coming in, the best players in the world go and play against each other, no matter where they’re from. It doesn’t matter what tour they’re on or whatever; it’s the best guys trying to play for one of the most coveted events in the world.

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Justin Thomas told The Players the proposed changes to the PGA Tour and LIV Golf format were flawed because the PGA Tour had an “astronomically higher number of quality players” in events.

“For us, at least for me, it will be business as usual to go out and play. Would I like LIV to be on top? Of course. But at the end of the day, it’s all of us who are going to in there and just trying to play the best golf you can and be ready for the biggest four weeks of the year.”

Watson: “I have nothing against anyone!”

Tiger Woods previously said he “didn’t know what the reaction would be” at the Champions Dinner on Tuesday of Masters week, which members of LIV are likely to attend, although two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson does not foresee any problems throughout the tournament.

“It’s only embarrassing in the media,” Watson said. “I’ve spoken to some people who will be there. I’m going to sign up with Jason Day and Cam Young in the par three and some guys have already asked me to play a few practice rounds.

“The media are the only ones pushing it. I have nothing against anyone. If you change jobs, I don’t blame you.”

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Two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw thinks Champions Dinner at Augusta National could be ‘tense’ – with a number of LIV golfers due to attend the evening

The 12-team league has three of the last six Masters winners and the current Open champion among their roster for the expanded 2023 campaign, while four-time major champion Brooks Koepka would welcome more major LIV successes next month in Georgia.

“Look, every time you win the Masters, it’s going to be a big boost for you on the golf course,” Koepka said. “I don’t care who you are. Look at everyone who won it, I guarantee they would say the same thing.

Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed are all members of LIV who have already won the Masters

“I can’t speak to what would happen because I don’t know the future, but I guess it would be a massive, massive boost for any team, player, individual, whatever it is. is, it’s going to be a big boost.

“Any time you win the Masters or the Open, that’s usually a pretty big statement.”

How do players qualify for The Masters?

The top 50 in the world at the end of the previous calendar year earn an invite, as do those in the top 50 in the week before the tournament, while previous winners hold a lifetime exemption and all other big winners from the last five. years are also included in the field.

The top 12 and ties from last year’s Masters Tournament are allowed to roll back, as are the top four and ties from the other three majors in 2022, with each winner at a full PGA Tour event – those who haven’t played the same week as a major or one of the golf world championships – in the past 12 months, securing a spot.

The last three winners of The Players and all who qualified for last season’s Tour Championship earn their invitation, along with the champions of five of the biggest amateur titles in the world, while The Masters committee can invite a player who does not is not qualified.

Watch The Masters in April exclusively live on Sky Sports! Live coverage of the opening round begins on Thursday April 6 from 2pm on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event.