LIV’s ‘Major’ Troubles Are Not Permanent, Brooks Koepka’s Words Sheds Hopes Despite Forgetful Masters:’ A Good Chance’

There were a bunch of LIV Golfers at the Augusta National Golf Club in April. 13 pros from the Saudi-backed circuit competed in the Masters Tournament. But many of these players, including big winners like Brooks Koepka, who finished T45, failed to leave their mark at the legendary course.

Although the LIV golfers’ performance was not as strong as it was in the previous year, Koepka is still confident about LIV Golf’s chances of winning major championships in the future. Koepka, who became the first golfer from LIV to win a major championship at the 2023 PGA Championship, talked about how people’s perceptions of the sport are changing and how its players might still leave their mark on the leading platforms.

Although LIV faces major troubles, Brooks Koepka is still positive

Even though no one placed in the top five at the 2024 Masters due to the collective hardships of the LIV Golf players, Koepka remained optimistic. Although he admitted at the LIV Golf Singapore press conference that his significant victory from the previous year benefited LIV Golf, he noted that all players, regardless of tour affiliation, strive for the finest possible degree of success. “Yes, it helped LIV Golf, but you’ve got everybody that tees it up at a major championship ready to go, ready to go win the thing. If not, then they shouldn’t be there,” Koepka stated.

Koepka mentioned the presence of several major champions and elite players as reasons for believing in LIV Golf’s talent pool. He said, “There are too many good players. You look at it consistently, you’ve got Jon, Bryson, Dustin, Cam. Those are guys that are going to win quite a few majors. As long as we’re in them, I think there’s a good chance that people over the next four or five years will have a few.”

Individual performances: Highs and lows at Augusta National

Even if LIV Golf players’ combined performance may not have lived up to expectations, a few players at the Augusta National demonstrated their skill and tenacity. The two most impressive players were Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith, who shared sixth place at 2-under par, nine strokes behind the winner. After sparking optimism with his opening-round 65, DeChambeau found it challenging to stay consistent in the following rounds.

Former Masters champion Patrick Reed and Tyrrell Hatton had good finishes, tying for ninth and twelve, respectively. But the reigning champion Jon Rahm, who joined LIV Golf after the 2022–2023 season, could not leave his mark, finishing tied for 45th at 9–over par. Among the notable players who did not make the cut for the weekend’s action were Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Charl Schwartzel, and Sergio Garcia. The runner-up at the 2023 Masters, Phil Mickelson, struggled to maintain his form and finished tied for 43rd at 8-over par.

Even though LIV Golf’s team performance at the 2024 Masters didn’t live up to expectations, Brooks Koepka’s positive outlook and the individual performances of players like DeChambeau, Smith, Hatton, and Reed indicate that the Saudi-backed circuit will continue to gain traction in major events in the years to come.