Talor Gooch: If McIlroy wins Masters without LIV players, there'll be an asterisk

Still smarting over not being invited to the Masters, Talor Gooch said the idea of basing majors eligibility on the Official World Golf Ranking is antiquated.

Gooch, the LIV Golf individual champion in 2023, isn't earning ranking points because of his league affiliation. He's fallen to No. 449 in the rankings because the OWGR system doesn't recognize LIV participation.

In an interview with Australian Golf Digest, Gooch said not having the top players in the field only dilutes the competition.

"If Rory McIlroy goes and completes his (career) Grand Slam without some of the best players in the world, there's just going to be an asterisk," he said.

"It's just the reality. I think everybody wins whenever the majors figure out a way to get the best players in the world there."

The 32-year old Gooch gave up his PGA Tour membership in 2022 when he moved to LIV.

He amassed one career PGA Tour win and $9.25 million in earnings - well eclipsed by the $46.5 million he won in his first two LIV seasons.

Despite winning three tournaments and the LIV title in 2023, Gooch didn't receive one of three invitations to the Masters issued by officials at Augusta National.

One of the invites went to LIV's Joaquin Niemann of Chile, who was credited by Masters officials for his win at the ISPS Handa Australian Open and two other sanctioned events.

"Hopefully the day will turn when the majors decide to start rewarding good play on LIV. Hopefully that'll be sooner than later," Gooch said.

Former World No. 1 Lee Westwood also told Australian Golf Digest that it's time for a change.

"I think the Official World Golf Ranking has got itself into a real hole. It's got itself to a point where it's obsolete, really, if I'm being completely honest," said