LIV Golf Updates: Louis Oosthuizen to Face a Major Masters Setback in 16 Years

The countdown to the 2024 Masters Tournament has begun! Many PGA Tour golfers will be sharpening their skills to achieve glory at this major tournament. Interestingly, LIV Golf player Joaquin Niemann will also be joining them on the greens, after a lot of hardwork. While one LIV loyalist’s dreams are coming true, another’s is being shattered. The other LIV Golf player is none other than Louis Oosthuizen.

The South African golfer has been a force to be reckoned with during the major tournaments. Out of the four major tournaments, he has finished as a runner-up in three of them, with the top spot finish in the Open Championship. Unfortunately, his dreams of playing in the Masters this year have come to a halt. But along with that, it will be breaking over a decade-long record of his!

The 41-year-old recently finished second in the 2024 International Series in Oman. The South African golfer has also been playing well in the 2023–24 season. He secured victories in two events on the European circuit in 2023. But this was not enough for him to get the invite to play at Augusta Nationals this year. This will be his first Masters miss since 2008, breaking a 16-year-long streak. And the 41-year-old had some views on his own over this.

Despite not getting into the Masters this year, the South African golfer has come to terms with it. While talking to Gulf News, he pointed out that this was “inevitable” when he joined LIV Golf.

Read more: Who is Louis Oosthuizen’s Caddie? LIV Golfer’s Support Explored

“I knew the day would come when I wasn’t able to play in a tournament like Augusta. To be honest with you, that golf course is so long right now that I’m struggling around it,” he said.

Louis Oosthuizen not playing in the Masters 2024 raises questions over OWGR

However, he did not fail to point a finger towards OWGR and its partiality with the Saudi-backed league. He wished they would soon change the system completely. He suggested that if they can’t give OWGR points to LIV Golf, then they should “change the system where they give spots to majors on each tour around the world.”

Many players in the past have opened up about how they feel about the OWGR, such as Bryson DeChambeau. Mr. 58 opened up about him and his other LIV compatriots have fulfilled all the criteria, and yet the OWGR officials are “not doing anything,” and how it is “frustrating.” There is no doubt to the fact that LIV Golf has become a powerhouse of talent. DeChambeau also suggested that, other than the World Ranking, the USGA, R&A, PGA, and Augusta National should also look at the season-ending table of LIV Golf to extend the fields of the tournaments.

However, the harsh reality, for now, is that LIV Golf players will have to continue playing in other leagues to gain OWGR points. But with a reputed name like Louis Oosthuizen raising questions, they are bound to hear soon.

Maybe the ray of sunshine will come from the ongoing merger talks between PIF and the PGA Tour. But only time will tell what happens next.

Read More: Majors Take Over Family Time For LIV Golfers? Joaquin Niemann & Squad Commits to Another Event