LIV golfers lacking past victories (e.g Cam Smith and Bryson DeChambeau) rely on alternative routes to qualify for Majors. The US Open and The Open offer qualifying tournaments, while some LIV players compete on other Tours like the Asian Tour to earn valuable World Golf ranking points. However, the PGA Championship presents a hurdle, as the PGA of America's points system might restrict many LIV players from entry. The legal battles between Tours and the potential evolution of official points criteria make future participation in certain Majors uncertain for the LIV players. Whether they can achieve golfing glory amidst the current tension remains to be seen.
Despite the tour rivalry, there are some intense personal battles too. This year's Masters promises a captivating storyline beyond the PGA-LIV drama. The personal rivalry between Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka takes center stage. Neither of the two gents were at the dinner yesterday, and both of them would desperately like to host it next year after winning this years event. McIlroy has 4 majors under his belt and Koepka has 5. They have both been at the top of the game for years and a green jacket is a noticeable exclusion from their list of achievements. McIlroy is arguably the best PGA golfer playing this weekend not to have won the tournament. The same could be said for Koepka on the LIV side.
Koepka, known for his aggressive style, will aim for an early lead to counter McIlroy's historical strength on Sundays at Augusta National. So the general approach for Brooks is pretty simple. He will likely make the riskier choices in the pursuit of glory. There is no second place in his mind. Koepka is used to taking risks, He has always felt like an outsider in the game of golf. So his style of play, and even his move to LIV, all reflect this mentality.
McIlroy and Koepka couldn't be more different off the course either. McIlroy, the PGA Tour's "poster boy," has been outspoken about the LIV/PGA split and he is married to the former PGA marketing manager. His roots run deep within the PGA establishment. Rory will seek to overcome the mental hurdle of needing to play boring golf at Augusta, a strategy that often leads to success.
It is so hard for him though, because right now McIlroy is on a short list of golfing legends like Walter Hagen, Lee Trevino, and Jim Barnes who have won 3 of the 4 Majors, but never donned the green jacket. Can he break the curse and finally etch his name in Masters history? Last year he came agonizingly close to doing so.
The pressure and the mental battle for McIlroy will be intense on each shot choice he has to make. Unlike Koepka who is likely to throw caution to the wind on every shot. But maybe they will surprise us and the roles will be flipped. These contrasting styles and this rivalry within the larger PGA-LIV competition promises to be a highlight of the tournament. Let's just hope both of these two players can make a run for it. It will make for exciting viewing for sure.
The Masters is known for its traditions and prestige. But this weekend it takes on a new layer of intrigue with many of the best LIV golfers in the mix. And this tournament may set the stage for the ongoing battle between the two tours and perhaps even decide the future of LIV players' participation in this and the other majors going forward. We will see what happens. Maybe Rory McIlroy will host next year's dinner, maybe it will be Brooks Koepka; or maybe someone else. We will know soon enough.
