The Masters, the first Major of the season, is one of the most eagerly-anticipated events in the golf calendar. As players gear up for the tournament, there is a lot of interest in who will be competing at Augusta National. While LIV Golf stars do not currently have access to Official World Golf Ranking points, there are multiple ways for them to qualify for The Masters. One of the qualifying criteria is being in the top 50 of the OWGR, but previous winners of the Green Jacket also receive lifetime exemptions into the event, allowing players like Jon Rahm, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, and Bubba Watson to participate.
Jon Rahm, the 2023 Masters champion, joined LIV Golf at the end of that year. Rahm’s impressive debut season in 2024 saw him clinch the individual title and finish second in the team standings with his Legion XIII side. Despite facing challenges as a defending champion and with his LIV move, Rahm’s strong performances, including multiple top 10 finishes, show that he is a serious contender at Augusta National. Bryson DeChambeau, last year’s US Open winner, secured exemptions into the Majors for the next five years. His top finishes at The Masters and the PGA Championship further solidified his status as a major player in the golf scene.
Brooks Koepka, a five-time Major champion, is still benefitting from his five-year exemption from winning the PGA Championship in 2023. Koepka, who narrowly missed out on a Masters victory in the past, has consistently performed well at Augusta National and remains a favorite. Phil Mickelson, a three-time Masters champion, qualified for the event through his five-year exemption for winning the 2021 PGA Championship. Mickelson’s experience and course knowledge make him a formidable competitor at The Masters despite recent form struggles in LIV Golf.
Dustin Johnson, the emotional winner of the 2020 Masters, has had mixed results since his victory at Augusta National. Sergio Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion, has shown signs of life on LIV Golf and remains committed to competing in as many Majors as possible. Patrick Reed, known as Captain America, has had success at Augusta National and continues to perform well at The Masters. Bubba Watson, a two-time Masters champion, will be looking to improve on his recent performances at Augusta after a challenging season on LIV Golf.
Charl Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, has had mixed results at The Masters and will be aiming for a better performance this year. Tyrrell Hatton, who secured his spot in the 2025 Masters through his OWGR ranking and a top finish in LIV Golf, will be a strong contender. Joaquin Niemann, who received a special invite to last year’s Masters, will be looking to build on his success on LIV Golf and improve on his T22 finish. Cameron Smith, a course specialist at Augusta, has multiple top-10 finishes at The Masters and will pose a threat to the competition.
As players gear up for The Masters, there is a mix of seasoned champions and rising stars looking to make their mark at Augusta National. With various qualification criteria and exemptions in play, the field at The Masters promises to be as competitive and exciting as ever. Fans can expect thrilling performances, intense competition, and incredible moments as the world’s best golfers tee off at one of the most prestigious events in the sport. Stay tuned for all the latest updates, rankings, and insights as the golfing world prepares for The Masters.
