The Masters threat Tiger Woods fury after extending uncommon invite to LIV Golf star
Organisers of the Masters could be risking the wrath of their most cherished former winner in Tiger Woods, after this week extending a uncommon supply to LIV golf star Joaquin Niemann.
Woods has remained one of the vital outspoken voices relating to the chasm that has appeared in golf, and publicly placed on file that every one gamers ought to be consulted if crossover selections are made between the PGA Tour decision-makers and LIV Golf, together with the organisers of the respective Major competitions.
In the brand new, turbulent and divided world of golf the place the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV stay locked in a really public stand-off, prime title stars are being denied the chance to function on the main occasions on account of shedding their official rankings standing.
However, this week Augusta National Golf Club has prolonged a particular invitation to LIV Golf’s Joaquin Niemann, in addition to Ryo Hisatsune and Thorbjorn Olesen, to the 2024 Masters match. The shock nature of the invite, and the considerably gray space that it now creates, could provoke additional frustration for the likes of Woods and his contemporaries.
The 25-year-old Niemann had been notably vocal together with his ongoing annoyance relating to the dearth of formally recognised world golf rating accreditation for LIV gamers, which has considerably – and strategically – narrowed the avenues for members of the Saudi-backed circuit to compete in golf’s finest occasions, together with the Masters.
After just lately triumphing within the end-of-year 2023 Australian Open, Niemann is on the rise and seems to have caught the eye of the Masters decision-makers, who need him to be a part of the upcoming 2024 match on the prestigious Augusta National.
In a press launch Augusta National cited that the Australian win, together with top-five finishes on the DP World Tour, in a affirmation that Niemann could be receiving an official invitation. No point out was made, nevertheless, to the Saudi-backed LIV occasions.
Niemann can be a former Latin America Amateur Championship winner, an occasion run by Augusta National that awards Masters invites. When he seems for the 2024 match, it is going to be Niemann’s fifth Masters look. Last 12 months, after nonetheless having sufficient remaining rating factors to obtain an invitation, Niemann completed in tied-Sixteenth place.
“The Masters Tournament has a long-standing tradition of inviting leading international players who are not otherwise qualified,” mentioned Augusta National and Masters chairman Fred Ridley in a press release.
“Today’s announcement represents the Tournament’s continued commitment towards developing interest in the game of golf across the world. We look forward to welcoming each player to Augusta National this spring.”
In November 2023, Woods spoke out on PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, after news had all of the sudden turn into public that the PGA Tour had been concerned in discussions with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF).
“Jay understands what happened prior to that can’t happen again, and it won’t happen again, not with the players involved. Not with the player-directors having the role we have,” Woods mentioned on the Hero World Challenge, which on the time was his first golf return since withdrawing from the 2023 version of the Masters and later present process foot surgical procedure.
He added: “The overall emotion is we can’t let that happen again; how do we do that? Having six player-directors, we control the board and what we’re going to do. We can’t let what transpired without our involvement happen again.”