With Jon Rahm, LIV Golf now has two of this season’s four major champions. In fact, they have three of the last five victors, if you take into account Cameron Smith’s 2022 Open Championship win. Hence, despite OWGR’s stern verdict against LIV, the two stars will come to defend their title in the season’s first two majors.

OWGR’s world ranking point rejection has also put players like Talor Gooch’s major hopes in jeopardy. But as last year’s performances show, the renegade golfers have proven their mettle time and again in the Majors. Consider this: in three of the last four majors, at least one LIV Golf pro came in the top five. But arguably none raises the breakaway side’s stature more than two defending champions.

Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka: the blue-eyed boys of LIV Golf

In 2024, the first two majors will have two LIV golfers as defending champions. John Rahm, the latest marquee signing of Greg Norman, will travel to Augusta this April to defend his title in the first major of the season.

In fact, the Spaniard, as per Augusta tradition, will also host the champions’ dinner and get to choose the menu. The World No. 3 confirmed that Milhojas and Jamón Ibérico are on the cards. This honor, too, would have been Brooks Koepka’s if not for the final-round collapse this year.

However, unhindered by the shocking defeat at the Masters, Koepka went to Oak Hill Country Club a month and a half later, eying his fifth major. Viktor Hovland gave the LIV Golf pro a hot chase until the final hole. But the 33-year-old walked off to a swaggering two-shot victory over the Norwegian.

Brooks Koepka holding the Wanamaker Trophy was a first for any current LIV golfer. Let’s also not forget that Cameron Smith came in fourth at the U.S. Open, while Phil Mickelson also tied for second at the Masters. But no OWGR points for their regular events means that, other than previous champions, not many LIV Golf pros can take part in future majors.

OWGR snub has put top LIV Golf pros out of the majors

The OWGR’s rejection means LIV Golf players will not gain any world ranking points. However, most majors rely on OWGR to finalize the field. So, Talor Gooch, despite being the 2023 individual champion and having won three times on LIV’s circuit this year, may have to sit out the majors yet again this time.

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The same case holds true for Joaquin Niemann. One of the hottest stars on the tour joined LIV Golf last year as world no. 19. However, without any OWGR points on offer, the Chilean has slipped to the 63rd spot. The only hope for players like Gooch and Niemann is to tee off at the qualifiers for the U.S. Open and the Open Championship. While these two options remain, however, the doors for the Masters and the PGA Championship are slammed shut for now.

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