LIV players heavy at Augusta
Eleven LIV Golf players have qualified for the 2026 Masters — Bryson DeChambeau is among them — signaling a strong LIV presence at Augusta starting April 9. (livgolf.com) (ajc.com)
The LIV players headed to Augusta include Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Charl Schwartzel, Jon Rahm, Cameron Smith, Tyrrell Hatton, Carlos Ortiz, Tom McKibbin and Bryson DeChambeau. (golfmagic.com) DeChambeau holds a five-year Masters exemption from his 2024 U.S. Open win, Hatton punched his ticket with a top‑four finish at the 2025 U.S. Open, and Tom McKibbin qualified by winning the Hong Kong Open — a national‑open route added to Masters qualifying for 2026. (golfmagic.com; socalgolfer.org; espn.com) Those names represent roughly 11–12% of the tournament roster after Augusta and governing bodies confirmed a 92‑player entry list for the 2026 Masters as of April 1, 2026. (europeantour.com; golfweek.usatoday.com) The Official World Golf Ranking board approved awarding OWGR points to LIV events for the 2026 season but limited points to the top‑10 finishers (and ties), a change that alters how quickly LIV competitors can climb world‑ranking routes into majors. (owgr.com; golfweek.usatoday.com) Augusta National and The R&A reworked qualifying for 2026 to award invitations to winners of six national opens — including the Hong Kong Open — a change that created at least one direct Masters pathway used by a LIV player this season. (golf.com; sky sports.com) Pre‑tournament coverage has already focused on LIV figures on broadcast and commentary desks, with CBS play‑by‑play veteran Jim Nantz saying he’d largely seen Bryson DeChambeau “through his YouTube golf videos,” a remark picked up across major outlets. (sports.yahoo.com)
