Former Champions and Top Players Eligible for Augusta National
The Masters Tournament will welcome players from the contentious LIV Golf series to compete in its 2023 event, provided they meet the existing entry requirements. This decision allows former champions like Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed, and Charl Schwartzel to participate at Augusta National next April.
Additionally, prominent players such as Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau, and Brooks Koepka will also be eligible based on their recent performances in major tournaments and their positions within the top 50 of the world rankings.
While the PGA Tour has suspended players who joined the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf circuit, which launched in June and has significantly disrupted professional golf, the Open Championship did not impose a ban on players competing at St Andrews in July. However, R&A chief Martin Slumbers hinted that changes to entry criteria could be considered for future tournaments.
In a statement, Masters chairman Fred Ridley confirmed that the entry criteria for 2023 would remain unchanged but noted that modifications could be made for subsequent years. “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,” Ridley said. “Although we are disappointed in these developments, our focus is to honour the tradition of bringing together a preeminent field of golfers this coming April.”
As invitations are prepared to be sent out this week, Ridley reiterated the commitment to invite all eligible players according to the current criteria for the 2023 Masters Tournament.
