Greg Norman, ever the patriarch of the LIV Golf movement, turned Augusta National into his own personal amphitheatre during this year’s Masters.
As a patron of the sport, he traversed the legendary course, rallying behind his 13 LIV Golf stars who had ventured into the hallowed grounds.
Eight of these luminaries made it past the cut, leaving indelible impressions across the storied greens.
Delve into the performances of these titans of the fairway at the first major of the season.
Bryson DeChambeau – T6
Bryson DeChambeau’s thunderous opening with a 65 lit up the tournament, and his hole-out birdie on the 18th in the third round remains etched in Masters folklore.
Despite some slips over the weekend, his T6 finish marks his best at Augusta to date.
Cameron Smith – T6
For Cameron Smith, the journey was one of steady resilience. Though not a contender for the top spot, his consecutive rounds of 71 and 72 showcased his tenacity in the face of grueling conditions.
Tyrrell Hatton – T9
Tyrrell Hatton, often fiery on the course, battled through to secure his spot for next year’s Masters, finishing with a commendable three-under 69 on Sunday, securing a spot comfortably within the top 12.
Patrick Reed – T12
The 2018 Masters champion, Patrick Reed, displayed his trademark steadiness, culminating in a strong finish and marking his fifth top-20 in the last seven starts at Augusta.
Joaquin Niemann – T22
Joaquin Niemann, a standout on the LIV circuit, couldn’t convert his special invite into contention, but his T22 finish with a +4 aggregate ensures his presence in the upcoming PGA Championship and The Open.
Phil Mickelson – T43
Phil Mickelson’s fortunes continued to wane at Augusta, failing to build on his T2 finish from last year.
Despite making the cut, he faltered over the weekend.
Jon Rahm – T45
Jon Rahm, aiming for back-to-back victories at Augusta, faced disappointment with a challenging week that saw him battling to make the cut.
Brooks Koepka – T45
Brooks Koepka, a five-time major winner, struggled to find his rhythm and finished with scores that matched his highest at the Masters, ending at +9.
Sergio Garcia – MC
Sergio Garcia, the 2017 champion, struggled to find form after arriving on the back of strong performances, falling short with a missed cut.
Charl Schwartzel – MC
Charl Schwartzel, the 2011 champion, found the conditions particularly punishing, as he missed the cut after an arduous Friday.
Bubba Watson – MC
Bubba Watson, a two-time Masters champion, found himself on the wrong side of the cut line after a tough second round.
Dustin Johnson – MC
Dustin Johnson, the 2020 champion, couldn’t muster his usual brilliance, finishing well outside the cut line.
Adrian Meronk – MC
Adrian Meronk, LIV’s European recruit, struggled with scores that saw him at the bottom of the leaderboard.
On reflection, the Masters was a mixed bag for the LIV Golf contingent, with some shining moments and others facing the harsh realities of Augusta’s unforgiving challenges.
As the season progresses, these athletes will undoubtedly continue to captivate and inspire fans worldwide.
