• Loading stock data...
Thursday, April 9, 2026

The Masters Stands By Rankings, Will Allow LIV Golfers

  • There are 16 golfers on the LIV Tour eligible to compete in The Masters.
  • The tournament takes place April 6-9.
Masters pin flag
Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

LIV Golf League players won’t be left out of next year’s Masters tournament.

Augusta National Golf Club announced that any golfer who qualified for the major championship based on its current criteria will be able to play.

The top 50 players in the Official World Golf Rankings are invited. Additionally, players in the top 50 the week prior to the 2023 event will get an invitation. Invitations to the tournament — which takes place in Augusta, Georgia, on April 6-9 — will be sent this week.

There are 16 golfers on the LIV Tour eligible to compete.

  • Six of them are previous winners of the Masters: Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia, and Charl Schwartzel.
  • Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau, and Brooks Koepka are eligible thanks to their major wins.

“Our focus is to honor the tradition of bringing together a preeminent field of golfers this coming April,” Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley said

“We look at every aspect of the Tournament each year, and any modifications or changes to invitation criteria for future Tournaments will be announced in April.”

LIV’s Lawsuit

An August lawsuit filed by Mickelson, DeChambeau, and nine other LIV golfers accused Ridley of working behind the scenes for the PGA Tour and instructing players in this year’s tournament to not defect to LIV Golf. 

The lawsuit also accused Augusta National of threatening “to disinvite players from The Masters if they joined LIV Golf.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 4, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Detail view of the Masters gnomes during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

Masters Gnome Mania Dominating Merch Sales in Augusta

The limited supply of the souvenir sells out quickly daily.

LIV Signs Prediction-Market Deal As PGA Tour Has Held Off

LIV signed a short-term deal for Masters week.

Masters Remains Power Broker As PGA Tour, LIV Golf Divide Lingers

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley stressed collaboration this week.
Apr 14, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Tiger Woods reacts to his putt on the 16th green during the final round of the Masters Tournament.

Masters Stars Feel Unprecedented Absence of Tiger and Phil

This is the first Masters since 1994 without both Woods and Mickelson.

Featured Today

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) and center Tomislav Ivisic (13) react in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center.
April 4, 2026

Loopholes Enable Int’l College Basketball Players to Cash In

Schools have scrambled to find a way to compensate international players.
April 1, 2026

‘The Sonics Never Died’: The Long Afterlife of Seattle NBA Merch

Inside “the largest team shop for a team that doesn’t exist.” 
Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA;UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) dunks the ball against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena
March 28, 2026

March Madness Coaches Debate ‘Blueblood’ in NIL Era

The term’s meaning was up for debate at men’s March Madness.

What the Core Designation Means Under the New WNBA CBA

Ten WNBA players were cored this week, with one notable absence.
April 7, 2026

MLB’s Rookie Stars Are Delivering Big Value on Small Contracts

A fertile crop of first-year players is making an immediate impact.
April 8, 2026

NFL’s Melbourne Opener Sparks Frenzy, Ticket Issues, Team Unease

Ticket demand far outstrips supply at the expansive Australian stadium.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
Apr 22, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas (right) talks with general manager Marc Eversley (left) before game three of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
April 6, 2026

Bulls Finally Pull Plug on Karnišovas–Eversley Era

The move comes one week after the Bulls waived Jaden Ivey.
April 6, 2026

Vegas Tourism Drops $100K Aces Deals; No Word on Investigation

The WNBA has never announced the result of its investigation.
April 6, 2026

NHL Playoff Race Tightens As Coaching Shake-Ups Fuel Wild Finish

Coach firings and a muddled playoff chase mark the regular season’s end.
April 6, 2026

Masters Week Tees Off With Tiger Out, Media and Ticketing Shifts

Amazon is debuting as a tournament broadcaster this year.