Can Any of the Top Players at LIV Actually Pull Out a Win at Augusta
Going into the biggest tournament of the year, the players of the LIV golf league will be seen for the first time this year. Since the separation of the players back in 2022, some of the top players in the world have only been seen in Majors, not being allowed to play in all other PGA-sanctioned tournaments due to disagreements between the two parties. Top players like Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Jon Rahm will be seen for the first time this year, while previous masters winners Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson also return to the field for the event. The question that has been looming on many bettors’ minds is simple. Does a LIV player have a chance at winning, and if yes, who?
The most likely person to win in most is DeChambeau. The famous long-driver and now Youtuber has burst his golf game onto the scene more than ever in the past couple of years, winning multiple majors, including last year's U.S. Open. The now crusher placed in the top two in two majors last year, having by far the most success on the tour while becoming one of golf’s favorite players and personalities. Unlike the rest of the PGA guys, DeChambeau played last week in Miami at the Blue Monster for LIV. He placed fifth, shooting a combined two under par for the three rounds. Adding on DeChambeau’s top-ten finish at Augusta last year, all eyes will be on the former two-time U.S. Open winner to grab his first green jacket.
Besides DeChambeau, former Masters champions Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson have been playing their best golf going into this week. Both players have not only won before in Augusta but after lackluster years in the majors in 2024, have excelled with confidence and a desire to once again put their name on a major. The last time we saw Rahm at the top of his game on the PGA, he took home the green jacket, so saying he can’t repeat it would be unfair to his greatness. Mickelson, on the other hand, has also used the YouTube world to help his game. Through his own words, his play had gained an increased smoothness from where he was last year due to the increased joy he has felt. Mickelson has also become more liked due to his appearances with Grant Horvat, and being a three-time holder of the green jacket, nobody should count the old dog mindset of Phil Mickelson.
While other threats to the jacket on LIV are far, with names such as the five-time major winner Brooks Koepka and the young star Joaquin Niemann, the members of the Saudi league have a wide range of chances at Augusta. Are they the best bet? With the top players in the world Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy still being strong candidates for the PGA, the odds would lean towards betting on the field, but to see a couple of those guys in the top 10 wouldn’t be surprising. Besides Niemann, all the players mentioned as well as four aces Dustin Johnson have all finished either first or top six at Augusta, so seeing a repeat of one of these years would be special for golf fans. Considering we only see these guys four times a year with the rest of the tour, these majors become more special, and all we can hope for is some great golf from the field and another week to remember at Augusta National.
