When It Comes To Qualifying For The Masters There's Nothing To See Here

A couple of years ago, when a group of golfers left the PGA Tour for the opportunity and money to play for LIV, they were told in no uncertain terms what making that move would mean.

On the positive side, it would mean a pile of money for those players that chose to leave.  It would also mean a lighter schedule when it came to playing in events.  On the other hand, there was the fact that they would no longer be welcomed as members of the PGA Tour.  Entitled to all of the benefits that come with that privilege, and that is where the last couple of years has gotten murky.

There are players that claim LIV promised them ranking points in the Official World Golf Rankings.  Those points come in handy when one wants to play in the major championships around the world.  Those points have not materialized and will not.  The lack of points and the ability to play in the major championships has been something the LIV players have been complaining about to anyone that would listen, for years.

Recently, there’s been some movement on that front.  In the last few weeks, both the United States Golf Association, the organization that puts on the US Open, and the Royal & Ancient, the organizer of the Open Championship have created pathways for LIV players to participate in their championships.  With those moves, there are now ways for anyone on LIV to qualify for three of the games four major championships.

Which brings us to Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters.  With recent moves from the PGA of America, the USGA and the R&A, will Augusta National see fit to also amend their criteria and allow LIV players a pathway.  If I had to make a guess, absolutely not.  Here’s why.  First, Augusta National makes decisions based on their timetable, not anyone else’s.  An argument can be made that Martha Burk’s campaign against the club’s membership policies more than twenty years ago delayed admittance of female members.  It wasn’t until seven years after Burk that the Club welcomed its first female members.  It’s my understanding that plans were already in place for that entry to be earlier, but they were not going to even appear to be bullied into the decision.  So, I don’t foresee any changes to the qualifying criteria in order to allow LIV players into the Masters.  Besides, with former champions always invited, there are already eight LIV players at the Champions Dinner on Tuesday night.

Recent reports suggest that an agreement between the PGA Tour and Public Investment Fund is at hand, perhaps to be announced in the next couple of weeks.  Nothing would please Chairman Ridley more that to have that chapter of the game closed.