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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jonathan Spencer

LIV Golf stars breathe huge sigh of relief as Masters chiefs permit players to compete

Augusta National organisers have confirmed that LIV Golf stars will be allowed to play at the Masters next year.

Uncertainty was growing surrounding the LIV rebels' participation at the four majors following their controversial moves to the Saudi-backed series - which has disrupted the world of golf.

But Augusta's decision means some of the world's best players can compete at the iconic course in April, including the likes of Cameron Smith and Bryson DeChambeau, as well as previous champions Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson, Charl Schwartzel and Phil Mickelson.

In a statement on Tuesday, Masters chairman Fred Ridley announced: "From its inception in 1934, the purpose of the Masters Tournament has been to benefit the game of golf.

"Each April, the Masters assembles the world's leading golfers to compete for the Green Jacket and a place in history. It provides a stage for fans to experience dramatic moments of competition at the highest level and promotes the sport domestically and abroad.

"Through the years, legends of the game have competed and won at Augusta National Golf Club. Champions like Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have become heroes to golfers of all ages.

"They have inspired some to follow in their footsteps and so many others to play and enjoy the game. They have supported the sport and, thus, all who benefit from it. They have shown respect for those who came before them and blazed a trail for future generations. Golf is better because of them.

LIV Golf star Dustin Johnson puts on the iconic Green Jacket in 2020 (Getty Images)

"Regrettably, recent actions have divided men's professional golf by diminishing the virtues of the game and the meaningful legacies of those who built it. Although we are disappointed in these developments, our focus is to honour the tradition of bringing together a pre-eminent field of golfers this coming April.

"Therefore, as invitations are sent this week, we will invite those eligible under our current criteria to compete in the 2023 Masters Tournament. As we have said in the past, we look at every aspect of the Tournament each year, and any modifications or changes to invitation criteria for future Tournaments will be announced in April.

"We have reached a seminal point in the history of our sport. At Augusta National, we have faith that golf, which has overcome many challenges through the years, will endure again."

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