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The continued battle between the PGA Tour and the breakaway LIV Golf League continues to be one of many largest storylines in males’s skilled golf, however previous Masters champions Patrick Reed and Bubba Watson insist it will not be a distraction at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership subsequent week.
Talking to reporters forward of this week’s LIV Golf League match at Orange County Nationwide in Orlando, Florida, Reed stated Wednesday that the primary main championship of the season will not be concerning the competing circuits.
Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership elected to maintain the identical qualifying standards it used up to now to find out the sector for the 87th Masters. There are 18 gamers within the 89-man area from the LIV Golf League, together with 4 different previous champions: Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson and Charl Schwartzel.
“Clearly, the media and the storylines are going to be clearly LIV versus PGA Tour and all that form of stuff, however actually, on the majors, prime gamers on this planet are going and taking part in in opposition to one another regardless of the place they arrive from,” Reed stated. “For us, at the very least for myself, it is going to be enterprise as normal going out and taking part in.”
Reed, who gained a inexperienced jacket in 2018, stated having a LIV Golf League participant win the Masters would deliver credibility to the circuit, which is in its second season.
“In fact, would I prefer to have LIV be up on the prime? In fact,” Reed stated. “However actually, on the finish of the day, it is all of us getting into there and simply attempting to play the perfect golf we will and be prepared for the 4 largest weeks of the yr.”
Mickelson, a three-time Masters champion, is predicted to make his return after skipping the occasion final yr for the primary time since 1994. Masters chairman Fred Ridley instructed reporters final yr that Mickelson opted to not play, and wasn’t disinvited, after his controversial feedback concerning the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian financiers of the LIV Golf League have been revealed.
Watson, a two-time Masters winner, stated he just lately performed follow rounds at Augusta Nationwide. Reed was there final week with Johnson and Harold Varner III, one other LIV Golf participant who certified by ending within the prime 50 of the Official World Golf Rating final yr.
“I’ll be trustworthy, man,” Watson stated. “It is solely awkward within the media. I’ve talked to individuals which might be going to be there. I am going to enroll with Jason Day and [Cameron] Younger within the Par 3. Some guys have already requested me to play some follow rounds.
“Media is the one one that’s pushing it. I’ve nothing in opposition to anyone. When you change jobs, I am not mad at you. When you begin reporting for any individual else, hey, man, it is a greater determination for you and your loved ones. Have at it.”
Brooks Koepka, a four-time main championship winner, stated he was with PGA Tour stars Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy in Jupiter, Florida, on Tuesday.
“We see one another fairly a bit,” Koepka stated. “I imply, there’s loads of conversations. I used to be speaking with Rory for most likely about half-hour simply concerning the ball and all the opposite stuff that is happening. Nobody is offended at anyone from what I’ve seen.”
McIlroy has been among the many most outspoken critics of the LIV Golf League, which filed a federal antitrust lawsuit in opposition to the PGA Tour. The PGA Tour filed a countersuit in opposition to LIV Golf, alleging it interfered with its contracts with gamers. A trial is scheduled to start in January.
“Defending his entity, man,” Watson stated of McIlroy. “He is defending his enterprise, which is okay.”
“However I additionally do not assume which means something private with any of us,” Koepka stated.
Watson insists he will not carry an “us versus them” angle to Augusta Nationwide.
“No, I am attempting to beat all of them,” Watson stated.
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