The Masters: What did the 18 LIV players say before their major return to Augusta National? | Golf News

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Masters president Fred Ridley says there was an excellent “tone” between PGA Tour and LIV golfers in motion this week, however what have the gamers mentioned forward of their main comeback?

LIV gamers remained eligible for all 4 majors, offered they remained in an exempt class, with 18 of its members slated for departure to Augusta Nationwide.

Six LIV golfers attended the Champions Dinner on Tuesday, whereas others from the breakaway tour are showing for the primary time this yr alongside their former PGA Tour counterparts.

Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Harold Varner III are all on the Masters this week

Any animosity between the PGA Tour and LIV has been put to relaxation forward of one of many largest occasions on the sporting calendar, with golfers on either side aiming to impress of their quest for a prestigious inexperienced jacket.

What was the reception of the members of the LIV on the bottom? This is what they mentioned to the media forward of this week’s main, completely stay from Thursday on Sky Sports activities Golf…

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Cameron Smith admits LIV Golf programs aren’t as robust as they’re on the PGA Tour, however insists they nonetheless have loads of gamers who can compete on the Masters

Abraham Ancer

“I performed with three guys I have not seen in a very long time and everybody was very nice. I am not a really dramatic man. I get together with everybody. It is simply golf . We’re all good pals and it has been nice.”

Bryson De Chambeau

“The reception is nice. The followers are nice. I at all times say the identical issues they might do if I used to be on the opposite facet. I feel it is enjoyable to joke round and work together. You understand what, if you cannot deal with it then you do not should be right here Scottie [Scheffler] – I gave him a hug. I have not seen him for a very long time. Sat [Burns], similar factor. Everybody has been implausible. I had no drawback.”

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Bryson DeChambeau, who performs on the LIV Golf Tour, appreciates the response he is getting from followers on the Masters

Sergio Garcia

“I feel on the finish of the day, we’re all right here, we’re all attempting to compete. We’ll do our greatest. It does not matter in the event you’re a PGA Tour participant or a LIV Golf participant. I feel finally All in all, we’re all going to do our greatest, and we’ll see what occurs on the finish of the week.”

Dustin Johnson

” For me it’s the similar [as previous years]. All my pals are nonetheless my pals. I nonetheless play golf for a residing. I am right here on the Masters and I am having fun with this week. This week it is all about Augusta. It has nothing to do with the place you play, however the guys who’re right here, they play all around the world.”

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Dustin Johnson says there is no distinction between this yr’s Masters and former years as LIV Golf and PGA Tour gamers put together to play within the event

Brooks Koepka

“He [Rory McIlroy] despatched me a congratulatory textual content on Sunday [after winning in Orlando], then I requested him if he needed to play. We had deliberate for this. It wasn’t only a random look off the tee.

“I feel everybody forgets that we see one another in off-peak weeks. There’s an open line of communication between me and him. I feel we’re each fairly sincere the place we’re.”

Jason Kokrak

“He [the reception] has been superb. I anticipated nothing much less. I imply, you have heard individuals speaking behind a microphone, however I feel what individuals do behind a microphone and what individuals do in somebody’s face is slightly completely different.”

Phil Mickelson

“Everybody right here is so elegant. Gosh, it is enjoyable to be right here. It might be good to validate the quantity of expertise that is on the market on LIV, and I feel loads of guys are taking part in rather well earlier than that. I feel it should be enjoyable to look at.”

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Phil Mickelson offers his opinion on his kind forward of the Masters

Kevin Na

“There’s not a single man right here that is not attempting to win. But it surely’s not about holding on or something like that. It doesn’t matter what individuals say, there’s loads of golfers champions on the LIV Tour and nonetheless at their peak and nonetheless on the prime. I feel the followers and the media make it extra fascinating. In case you have a LIV vs. PGA Tour developing, will probably be enjoyable.

Mito Pereira

“Clearly it is particular to be right here for Masters week and the course seems nice and difficult as at all times. I’ve seen it [Augusta] on TV so many occasions, and you may’t actually ask for extra to be right here and play the Masters this yr.”

Thomas Peter

“I did not really feel any stress. It is simply good to see them once more. The media makes it a a lot larger factor than it truly is. I took my dad and mom right here [to Augusta] as a result of it could possibly be my final. It is simply being life like. I do not know. Time will inform us.”

Cameron Smith

“I simply assume there’s an excessive amount of trash, mainly. I spent an hour there [on the range] and I noticed loads of acquainted faces, loads of smiles and hugs, and it was good.

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Cameron Smith has no regrets about shifting from the PGA Tour to the LIV Golf Tour, insisting the change has allowed him to spend extra time with household and pals.

“I do not assume there’s any type of hatred between the gamers. We’re all completely happy the place we’re, and I am simply as completely happy for guys successful on the PGA Tour as I’m for LIV golfers.”

Harold Varner III

“Everybody thinks we suck now so I need to play nicely. You all write it and I simply learn it – I do not listen. It is not like Area Jam the place they took us away our abilities, so I am tremendous excited. I need to play nicely – that is why you play.”

Why is not LIV’s Greg Norman on the Masters?

Augusta Nationwide president Fred Ridley mentioned “preserving the deal with competitors” was the explanation for the choice to not invite LIV Golf commissioner Greg Norman to the Masters.

“We did not invite Mr. Norman,” Ridley mentioned at his conventional pre-tournament press convention on the Masters. “The principle problem and the driving power there may be that I need the main target this week to be on the Masters competitors, on the nice gamers who’re in it, the best gamers on this planet.

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Masters President Fred Ridley mentioned LIV Commissioner Greg Norman was not invited to Augusta this yr, to remain centered on the Masters and never LIV golf.

“By our determination in December, we made certain that we have been going to honor and be according to our invitation standards. I’d additionally add that within the final 10 years, Greg Norman has solely been right here twice, and I consider one in every of them was a commentator for Sirius Radio.

“It was actually to remain centered on the competitors.”

Watch The Masters all week lengthy stay on Sky Sports activities! Dwell protection of the opening spherical begins from 2pm on Thursday on Sky Sports activities Golf, with a bunch of bonus streams out there through the crimson button.