Masters unlikely to change qualifying criteria for LIV golfers - ESPN

LIV Golf League players who were hoping the major championships would change criteria to make it easier for them to qualify for those fields probably aren't going to get their wish when it comes to the Masters.

Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley told reporters in Australia on Thursday that he didn't anticipate the club making any changes to its criteria for the 2024 Masters, which will be played April 11-14.

«As you recall last year, there was some speculation as to whether or not we would invite LIV golfers, and we stayed true to our qualification criteria and we invited everyone who was eligible,» Ridley said ahead of this weekend's Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

«And so, while we do not at this time anticipate making any changes in 2024, you know, we do always look at them and we will continue to do that. I would just answer by saying that, you know, that our qualifications are very much dynamic, and we adjust to what we feel is the best interests of the tournament representing the best players in the world, so we always look at that.»

This past April, there were 18 LIV Golf League players in the Masters field, including past champions Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson, Charl Schwartzel, Sergio Garcia and Bubba Watson, who have lifetime exemptions to play in the first major of the season.

LIV Golf's Brooks Koepka and Mickelson tied for second at 8 under, 4 shots behind winner Jon Rahm.

Before last week's LIV Golf League team championship, Mickelson said he hoped the four majors would create new pathways for the tour's members to compete in the sport's biggest tournaments.

Mickelson and other LIV Golf members have voiced their concerns after the Official World