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

There are 17 LIV Golf members currently set to feature 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 from April 6-9 exclusively live on Sky Sports Golf

Patrick Reed insists there will be no animosity between LIV Golf members and their PGA Tour counterparts when players from both tours go head-to-head at The Masters.

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

All members of the Saudi-backed circuit who remain eligible under the tournament entry criteria have still received an invite to the opening men’s major of the year, exclusively live from April 6-9 on Sky Sports Golf, with 17 LIV players set to be involved at The Masters.

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

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

“But really the majors, that’s all the guys that come in, top players in the world are going and playing against each other, no matter where they come from. It doesn’t matter what tour they’re on or anything; it’s the top guys going and trying to play for one of the most coveted events in the world.

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Justin Thomas said at The Players that proposed PGA Tour changes and the LIV Golf format are wrong due to the PGA Tour having an ‘astronomically higher number of quality players’ in the events

“For us, at least for myself, it’s going to be business as usual going out and playing. Would I like to have LIV be up at the top? Of course. But really at the end of the day, it’s all of us going in there and just trying to play the best golf we can and be ready for the four biggest weeks of the year.”

Watson: “I have nothing against anybody!”

Tiger Woods has previously said he “didn’t know what the reaction’s going to be” at the Champions Dinner on Tuesday of Masters week, where LIV members are likely to attend, although two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson is predicting no issues throughout the tournament.

“It’s only awkward in the media,” Watson said. “I’ve talked to people that are going to 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 some practice rounds.

“The media is the only one that is pushing it. I have nothing against anybody. If you change jobs, I’m not mad at you.”

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Two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw believes the 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 LIV major success next month in Georgia.

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

Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed are all LIV members who have previously won The Masters

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

“Anytime 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 inside the top 50 during the week before the tournament takes place, while previous winners hold a lifetime exemption and any other major 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 return, as are the top four and ties from the other three majors in 2022, with every winner at a full-field PGA Tour event – the ones not played the same week as a major or one of the World Golf Championship – over the past 12 months securing a spot.

The last three winners of The Players and all qualifiers for last season’s Tour Championship earn their invite, plus the champions of five of the world’s biggest amateur titles, while The Masters committee can invite a player who hasn’t qualified.

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