The organizers of the Masters tournament have decided: the deserters of the PGA, who have joined the LIV circuit, can fight for the famous green jacket next April.
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In a statement released on Tuesday, Augusta National Golf Club President Fred Ridley justified his decision by recalling the famous competition’s mission: “to work for the good of golf”.
“Sadly, recent action has severed professional men’s golf from the values of the sport and the legacy of those who built it,” the 70-year-old wrote. While we are disappointed by these developments, our aim is to honor the tradition of bringing together an elite group of golfers in April.”
Founded in Georgia, USA, the organizers of the tournament did not change the eligibility criteria for participation. The list of golfers who received an invitation on Tuesday includes 16 athletes from the circuit, which is funded by a Saudi public fund.
Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed and Charl Schwarzel are invited as they have already won the Masters tournament. Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith are eligible after winning a Major. Then seven other golfers from the LIV circuit will be invited because they are among the top 50 in the world rankings.
“We have reached a pivotal point in the history of our sport,” concluded Ridley. At Augusta National, we hope that golf, which has overcome many challenges over the years, will thrive again.”