(Washington) Players on the Dissident LIV Golf Tour will be able to participate in the 2023 Augusta Masters in the United States, subject to eligibility “under current criteria,” Augusta National Golf Club President Fred Ridley.
“While we are disappointed with recent developments, we are working to uphold tradition by bringing together a group of top golfers next April,” Ridley said in a statement, lamenting the division created by the new circuit. LIV supported by Saudi Arabia.
Six former Masters winners are among the 10 players who have joined LIV and are currently eligible for golf’s first major tournament of 2023, at the historic course in Augusta, Georgia, USA.
Among them, Phil Mickelson, three times winner of the Masters and six times titled in Grand Slam, first high level player to join the LIV.
Just like the Americans Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed and Bubba Watson, as well as the Spaniard Sergio Garcia and the South African Charl Schwartzel, former winners of the Masters and who have also joined the LIV.
World number three, Australian Cameron Smith, defending British Open champion, is also one of the LIV players who are eligible under current criteria.
Other players could qualify by entering the top 50 of the world rankings the week before the Masters.
Ridley, however, said the situation could change over the next few years. “We review all aspects of the tournament every year, and any changes or changes to the invitation criteria for the future will be announced in April,” he said.
The Augusta Masters is one of four annual tournaments that make up the Grand Slam of world men’s professional golf (along with the US Open, British Open and USPGA). The number of participants is more limited than at other Grand Slam tournaments, as they must be invited by the Augusta National Golf Club.