Will LIV golfers be allowed to compete in the 2023 Masters?

LIV Golf has divided the world of professional golf since its commencement back in June 2022.

The Invitational Series, funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and fronted by former World No.1 Golfer Greg Norman lured some of the biggest names on the PGA Tour. And as a consequence of the ongoing war between the PGA Tour and the Series, LIV golfers that competed in the Saudi-funded golf league without permission were suspended by the PGA Tour.

But with the Augusta Masters producing what has been the best possible tournament every year, and with some LIV players having won seven of the last 13 Masters, it has been confirmed that LIV Golf players will be allowed to compete at Augusta this April.

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Can LIV golfers play in the 2023 Masters?

This will be the first time in 2023 that LIV Golf Series golfers will tee up alongside PGA Tour golfers.

August National Golf Club and Masters Tournament Chairman Fred Ridley extended invitations to 17 LIV golfers and said in a statement that they “will invite those eligible under our current criteria to compete in the 2023 Masters Tournament.” He also said that “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.”

Former Green Jacket winners Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Charl Schwartzel, Sergio Garcia, and Phil Mickelson are some of the players who jumped to the other side but will be at this year’s Masters. Additionally, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Cameron Smith- the tournament’s previous winners- will qualify as they have all won a major in the last five years.

Not to forget the top 50 of the final 2022 World Golf Rankings, Louis Oosthuizen, Abraham Ancer, Talor Gooch, Harold Varner III, Jason Kokrak, Kevin Na, Joaquin Niemann, and Thomas Pieters, who will also be invited to the tournament.

Former members of Europe’s Ryder Cup team and current LIV Golf players Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood are not eligible to play at this moment.

The 2023 Masters starts on April 6 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler won the 2022 tournament with a three-stroke victory over Rory McIlroy.

Here is a list of the 17 LIV golfers invited by Masters to the annual tournament: