Three of the highest six on The Masters leaderboard have been LIV gamers, with Brooks Koepka sharing second with Phil Mickelson and Patrick Reed ending tied-fourth; Jon Rahm secured a second main title with a four-shot win at Augusta Nationwide
By Ali Stafford at Augusta Nationwide
Final Up to date: 10/04/23 2:15am
Highlights from the ultimate spherical of the 2023 Masters at Augusta Nationwide
Highlights from the ultimate spherical of the 2023 Masters at Augusta Nationwide
Brooks Koepka believes the LIV contingent delivered a robust message by exhibiting they aren’t “washed up” after a string of sturdy performances at The Masters.
Koepka was one in all 18 members from the breakaway circuit who featured within the opening main of the 12 months, with the four-time main champion taking a two-shot lead into the ultimate spherical earlier than ending tied-second behind Jon Rahm.
Six-time main winner Phil Mickelson shared second with Koepka on eight beneath, with fellow LIV golf member Patrick Reed an additional stroke again in a share of fourth, with Koepka insistent it ought to come as no shock that so a lot of them contended.
Jon Rahm is the 2023 Masters champion! Watch his finest moments from the ultimate spherical
“We’re nonetheless the identical folks,” Koepka stated after a final-round 75. “I do know if I am wholesome, I do know I can compete. I do not suppose any of the fellows that performed this occasion thought in any other case, both.
“When Phil [Mickelson] performs good, we all know he’ll compete. P-Reed [Patrick Reed], the identical factor. I feel that is simply manufactured by the media that we won’t compete anymore; that we’re washed up.
Brooks Koepka was main heading into the ultimate spherical at The Masters, however he recorded six bogeys and ended 4 photographs behind Rahm
“It’s fractured, I assume, from the followers’ perspective. However so far as us, I feel all people noticed it this week. It is good to see all people. There is not any laborious emotions just about. I feel that is the way in which all people ought to see it.”
Golf ‘misplaced all of the pettiness’ at Augusta
Mickelson charged up the leaderboard on Sunday with a round-of-the-day 65, firing seven birdies over his closing 13 holes to publish his finest worldwide end since successful the PGA Championship in 2021, with the 52-year-old grateful to have the chance to tee it up once more at Augusta.
Phil Mickelson was grateful to be taking part in within the closing spherical at The Masters at Augusta and stated his 65 was as a lot enjoyable as he may have taking part in golf
“I believed it was thrilling that this event rose above all of it to have the perfect gamers on this planet right here and misplaced all of the pettiness; that was nice,” Mickelson stated in his post-tournament press convention.
“I am not saying it [LIV] is for everyone, but it surely’s been superior for me and I adore it. I am excited to go play in Australia, however this event is not about what tour you play from.
“There’s gamers from throughout, everywhere in the world on many alternative excursions, and also you’re bringing the perfect gamers to play in opposition to one another within the majors. That is what it is all about. That is what the sport of golf ought to be.
“There’s all the time going to be, and will all the time be, a spot for historic occasions like this, but it surely’s okay to have just a little bit of various and selection within the recreation of golf.”
Three-time Masters champion Mickelson placed on an outstanding final-round efficiency with 5 birdies in his final seven holes to assert joint-second spot
Reigning Open champion Cameron Smith and 2020 Masters champion Dustin Johnson have been among the many different LIV gamers who made the reduce, with Harold Varner III – who claimed tied-Twenty ninth – additionally happy to see so a lot of his colleagues impress.
” it proper now, yeah, I assume they do not suck,” Varner stated. “Yeah, I feel it is good for golf. Do not take into consideration any excursions, simply play golf and see how they stack up.”
‘LIV gamers can nonetheless compete’
Masters chairman Fred Ridley stated there had been an excellent “tone” between the PGA Tour and LIV golfers forward of the event, with three gamers from every circuit ending up filling the highest six on the leaderboard.
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“The controversy of LIV was they solely play three rounds, they have not performed that many tournaments, these guys aren’t examined, however three of the highest 4 have been LIV gamers,” Butch Harmon informed Sky Sports activities. “You’ve got acquired Mickelson, you have acquired Patrick Reed – these are all the celebrities over on the LIV tour.
“They’ve proved to the world of golf they will compete with the remainder of the gamers around the globe. Sure, it is a totally different league and it is a totally different kind of golf, however nice gamers are nice gamers, I do not care the place they play.”
Koepka offers his response to his final-round 75 at The Masters as he completed joint-second to Rahm at Augusta Nationwide
Former PGA champion Wealthy Beem added: “I simply have a look at it because the majors as being the place we lastly get everybody collectively to play the toughest golf programs with the perfect fields, and the winner takes all. I feel the majors are going to be very thrilling this 12 months.”
What occurs subsequent?
LIV golf members will compete in all 4 majors, offering they’re exempt, that means there are at the very least three extra alternatives this 12 months for them to go toe to toe with their PGA Tour counterparts.
Oak Hill Nation Membership hosts the PGA Championship from Might 18-21 forward of the US Open at Los Angeles Nation Membership from June 15-18, earlier than Royal Liverpool hosts The 151st Open from July 20-23.
