AUGUSTA, GEORGIA | If LIV Golf was looking to make a point at the Masters, consider it made.
LIV players Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka shared second place behind winner Jon Rahm while a third LIV member, Patrick Reed, shared fourth place.
So much for the notion that LIV’s 54-hole, no-cut concept would have a detrimental effect on its players when they turned up at major championships.
It didn’t turn out that way. In fact, 12 of the 18 LIV players in the field made the cut.
As for uncomfortable moments, they were few and far between.
“As a whole, everyone was great. They were very respectful, and the fans were how they always are. They're always really good,” said Reed, the 2018 Masters champion. “Especially seeing some of the guys and a lot of guys I haven't seen back players-wise, it was as if nothing really changed. We're competitors playing golf, and they treated us all the same way.”
Phil Mickelson, who energized Sunday with a closing 65 that earned him a share of second place, maintained that the issues of the Masters and the path of professional golf are separate. He chose to focus on the week rather than his world view.
For all the speculation about the temperature in the room at the Tuesday night Champions Dinner, all indications are it was a pleasant affair, with nothing out of the ordinary.
“I'm very appreciative that we're here; that we are able to play in the majors. And I thought it was exciting that this tournament rose above it all to have the best players in the world here and lost all the pettiness; that was great,” said Mickelson, a three-time Masters champion.
“I'm happy where I'm at. I wanted something different for a lot of reasons, and I'm getting a lot out of it because having a team environment when I was in high school and college golf, it elevated my game, having players to play with, compete with. It brought a great energy and excitement. And that's what this is doing for me at LIV. I'm not saying it's for everybody, but it's been awesome for me, and I love it.”
For all the speculation about the temperature in the room at the Tuesday night Champions Dinner, all indications are it was a pleasant affair, with nothing out of the ordinary, though Mickelson was said to have been relatively quiet throughout the dinner. The topic of LIV reportedly never came up.
The closest thing to contentiousness was a brief back and forth between Sergio García and a reporter on Thursday.
Asked whether it felt normal to be back at Augusta National, García said: “Totally normal. You guys need to stop it. You guys are making a big deal out of this and it’s you guys.”
When the reporter said, “No, it’s not,” García disagreed.
“Yes, it is,” said García, the 2017 Masters champion. “I’ve had nothing but great things from every single player I talk to. So please stop it and talk about the Masters.”
Some LIV players wore their team logos – the Masters allowed those so long as they did not wear “LIV” on their clothing – and some did not.
At a popular local restaurant, some workers were wearing shirts that read, “LIV – or golf” on the chest. Otherwise, it looked and felt like the Masters as usual.
With no access to world-ranking points beyond their appearances in major championships at the moment, LIV players know that high finishes are especially valuable.
“Obviously, you're kind of thinking about it because you don't know what's going to happen the next year. Definitely playing the majors this coming year, but you never know what's going to happen,” said Joaquín Niemann, who finished T16.
“Hopefully they figure something out, then let all the top players be playing with the top players in the majors. I think this week was important just in case. I mean, hopefully get a few points.”
Ron Green Jr.