The continued battle between the PGA Tour and the breakaway LIV Golf League continues to be one of many largest storylines in males’s skilled golf, however previous Masters champions Patrick Reed and Bubba Watson insist it will not be a distraction at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership subsequent week.
Chatting with reporters forward of this week’s LIV Golf League event at Orange County Nationwide in Orlando, Florida, Reed stated Wednesday that the primary main championship of the season will not be concerning the competing circuits.
Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership elected to maintain the identical qualifying standards it used previously to find out the sector for the 87th Masters. There are 18 gamers within the 89-man area from the LIV Golf League, together with 4 different previous champions: Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson and Charl Schwartzel.
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“Clearly, the media and the storylines are going to be clearly LIV versus PGA Tour and all that sort of stuff, however actually, on the majors, high gamers on the earth are going and enjoying in opposition to one another regardless of the place they arrive from,” Reed stated. “For us, no less than for myself, it may be enterprise as normal going out and enjoying.”
Reed, who received a inexperienced jacket in 2018, stated having a LIV Golf League participant win the Masters would deliver credibility to the circuit, which is in its second season.
“In fact, would I wish to have LIV be up on the high? In fact,” Reed stated. “However actually, on the finish of the day, it is all of us entering into there and simply attempting to play the most effective golf we are able to and be prepared for the 4 largest weeks of the yr.”
Mickelson, a three-time Masters champion, is predicted to make his return after skipping the occasion final yr for the primary time since 1994. Masters chairman Fred Ridley informed reporters final yr that Mickelson opted to not play, and wasn’t disinvited, after his controversial feedback concerning the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian financiers of the LIV Golf League had been revealed.
Watson, a two-time Masters winner, stated he lately performed apply rounds at Augusta Nationwide. Reed was there final week with Johnson and Harold Varner III, one other LIV Golf participant who certified by ending within the high 50 of the Official World Golf Rating final yr.
“I’ll be trustworthy, man,” Watson stated. “It is solely awkward within the media. I’ve talked to individuals which are going to be there. I am going to enroll with Jason Day and [Cameron] Younger within the Par 3. Some guys have already requested me to play some apply rounds.
“Media is the one one that’s pushing it. I’ve nothing in opposition to anyone. If you happen to change jobs, I am not mad at you. If you happen to begin reporting for any person else, hey, man, it is a greater determination for you and your loved ones. Have at it.”
Brooks Koepka, a four-time main championship winner, stated he was with PGA Tour stars Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy in Jupiter, Florida, on Tuesday.
“We see one another fairly a bit,” Koepka stated. “I imply, there’s a variety of conversations. I used to be speaking with Rory for in all probability about half-hour simply concerning the ball and all the opposite stuff that is occurring. Nobody is indignant at anyone from what I’ve seen.”
McIlroy has been among the many most outspoken critics of the LIV Golf League, which filed a federal antitrust lawsuit in opposition to the PGA Tour. The PGA Tour filed a countersuit in opposition to LIV Golf, alleging it interfered with its contracts with gamers. A trial is scheduled to start in January.
“Defending his entity, man,” Watson stated of McIlroy. “He is defending his enterprise, which is ok.”
“However I additionally do not suppose meaning something private with any of us,” Koepka stated.
Watson insists he will not carry an “us versus them” perspective to Augusta Nationwide.
“No, I am attempting to beat all of them,” Watson stated.
