LIV Golfers Don't Expect Confrontation at Masters: 'Nobody is Angry at Anybody'

One week out from the year's first major, several LIV stars set to compete at Augusta National said it will be business as usual.

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — Bubba Watson visited Augusta National recently, surprised to see that the entire Par 3 Course has been re-done and curious to the check out the changes to the par-5 13th that he dominated in his two victories.

What he’s not worried about next week at the Masters is whether or not his involvement with LIV Golf will cause any angst among players on either side of the issue.

“I’m going to be honest, man: it’s only awkward in the media," Watson said Wednesday at Orange County National, site of this week’s LIV Orlando event which begins Friday. “I’ve talked to people who are going to be there. I’m going to sign up with Jason Day and Cam Young in the Par 3 (Contest). Some guys have already asked me to play some practice rounds.

“Media is the only one that is pushing it. I have nothing against anybody. If you change jobs, I’m not mad at you. If you start reporting for somebody else, hey, man, it’s a better decision for you and your family. Have at it."

Watson was reminded that the narrative has needed no media push. Rory McIlroy has offered several harsh assessments of LIV Golf; Fred Couples recently ripped LIV and called Phil Mickelson a “nutbag," among the many numerous takes on the rival circuit.

“Protecting his entity, man," Watson said of McIlroy. “He’s protecting his business, which is fine."

Brooks Koepka also downplayed any potential issues.

“I think that’s one of the big things. Down in Jupiter, we see each other," Koepka said. “I was just with Rory and J.T. (Justin Thomas) yesterday, and I think Keegan (Bradley) was there. We see each other quite a bit. I mean, there’s a lot of conversations.

“I was talking with Rory for probably about 30 minutes just about the ball (and the proposed rules rollback) and all the other stuff that’s going on. Nobody is angry at anybody from what I’ve seen."

Koepka acknowledged that McIlroy and others have been outspoken about LIV Golf. Although McIlroy recently acknowledged that LIV’s emergence helped the PGA Tour make changes that are greatly benefitting PGA Tour players both now and in the future, he has also taken the mantle in pushing back.

The four-time major winner, along with Tiger Woods, helped get the top players together last August for a meeting in Wilmington, Del., that began the process of reshaping the PGA Tour, leading to more designated events will bigger purses and no cuts. But McIlroy had said he “hates what (LIV) is doing to the game."

“But I also don’t think that means anything personal with any of us," said Koepka, who has won four majors and finished tied for second behind Tiger Woods in 2019 at the Masters. “I’ve had relationships with them for … I’ve known J.T. since maybe 13, 14 years old. Rory for, I don’t know, the last 10 years. It’s not anything we don’t see on a normal basis."

Watson and Koepka are two of 18 LIV golfers who are in the Masters field next week. The general feeling is that even though they all qualified in some manner, there is an appreciation that the Masters stuck with its criteria and didn’t do anything to keep LIV golfers out of the tournament.

There also will be no push to flaunt the LIV brand. Although some players are contracted to wear various logos, those who are not won’t be pushing LIV or their various team names and the general mandate is to play golf and limit any outside noise.

“Obviously the media and the storylines are going to be LIV versus PGA Tour and all that kind of stuff," said Patrick Reed, who won the Masters in 2018. “But really at the majors, the top players in the world are going to be playing against each other no matter where they come from. It doesn’t matter what tour they’re on or anything; it’s the top guys going and trying to play for one of the most coveted events in the world.

“For us, at least for myself, it’s going to be business as usual going out and playing. Of course would I like to have LIV be at the top? Of course. But really at the end of the day, it’s all of us going in there and just trying to play the best golf we can and be ready for the four biggest weeks of the year."

Watson, who won the Masters in 2012 and 2014, put it more bluntly: “I’m trying to beat them all."