Watson, Reed say they expect no LIV-PGA tensions at Masters

WASHINGTON: Former Masters champions Bubba Watson and Patrick Reed said Wednesday (Mar 29) they do not expect awkward moments and tension when LIV Golf and PGA Tour players meet at next week's Masters.

Speaking ahead of this week's LIV Golf League event at Orlando, they and four-time major winner Brooks Koepka said the world's top players plan on routine situations at the year's first major at Augusta National despite the ongoing feud.

The Saudi-backed LIV series lured several big names from the PGA, prompting the PGA to ban those who jumped to the rebel series for record US$25 million purses and 54-hole events.

While a court battle is set to play out into 2024, major tournaments have not restricted qualifying, making them the only stage where LIV and PGA players will face each other.

"I'm going to be honest, man. It's only awkward in the media," two-time Masters winner Watson said. "I've talked to people that are going to be there.

"I'm going to sign up with (PGA players) Jason Day and Cam Young in the par-3. Some guys have already asked me to play some practice rounds."

Watson says he's trying "to beat them all" while Reed, the 2018 Masters champion, says there's no battle for tour top honor, just the fight for the green jacket symbolic of Masters supremacy.

"The storylines are going to be obviously LIV versus PGA Tour and all that kind of stuff, but really at the majors, all the guys that come in, top players in the world are playing against each other no matter where they come from," Reed said.

"It doesn't matter what tour they're on or anything. It's the top guys going and trying to play for one of the most coveted events in the world.

"For us, at least for myself, it's going to be business as usual going out and playing.