What Masters invite really means for LIV players | Golf Channel Podcast | Golf Channel

In this edition of the Golf Channel Podcast with Rex & Lav, the guys discuss the significance of Joaquin Niemann's special invitation to the Masters, debate whether any other LIV players have any legitimate gripes and map out what a "global tour" could look like. #GolfChannel #GolfChannelPodcast
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What Masters invite really means for LIV players | Golf Channel Podcast | Golf Channel
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[@tartrip8165]

I’m not a LIV hater or Lover but the fact that they can’t get WGR points because of the team aspect (that’s really just a side note) each player is playing out their own ball and the team aspect doesn’t really have an impact on it is stupid.

[@kennethmckinney2532]

Feherty predicted it after he won the first event. Kudos to Niemann. He's a baller...

[@SiLoMixMaster]

Well deserved invite for Niemann, well done The Masters for doing the right thing at least in this instance....

[@chaselleprice2833]

Joaquin Niemann is the hottest golfer in the world right now having won and contended in every event he’s played since the start of the 2024 season. He will get his first major this year.

[@mrrational2046]

How is the OWGR? 54th of the top 400 players in the world aren’t getting ranked. DJ is not the 230th player in the world

[@wreckim]

It's worse than that...if DJ could learn to two putt coming in, he'd have another 3 Majors. DJ is going to add so much excitement to the Masters...at least for the first and second round anyways.

[@pauljcross2289]

If the OWGR was not corrupt, he would be in top 20 in rankings

[@mrrational2046]

OWGR is a joke

[@drkviol8013]

It was a joke before LIV. The fact that Asian Tour players have been playing in WGC events is laughable. Why aren't Korn Ferry players in WGC events, they're better than Asian tour players.

[@Ball_Striker]

Rahm said it best, laughable!

[@chaselleprice2833]

OWGR should be renamed to PGA tour rankings and not world since it’s predominantly focused on propping up PGAT players. Most of their allocated points are heavily weighted to fulfill TV contracts for the tour.

[@colinclelland8960]

Niemann - Look at the timing, it has everything to do with LIV golf!

[@hlamuc]

Majors start to realize they get a problem in a couple of years if they continuously cannot present the best field in golf. Travel is no problem for the players as they already participate in global events. All these players have their own jets or are affiliated with the Netjets of the world. You want to address (and grow) key markets as Japan, Australia, Korea, UK, Spain….

[@pauljcross2289]

OVER 50% OF GOLF FANS LIVE OUTSIDE THE US...But GC think all top pro golf should only be in US

[@chaselleprice2833]

GC has turned into a clown show, hard to watch any of it. Chamblee, Eamon Lynch and Damon Hack are the absolute worst.

[@2Thes22]

The argument that the team concept is a reason to withhold ranking points is ridiculous. Every player should be playing their best whether they have a chance to win or get a top 10 or not. The team concept doesn’t require a player to do anything other than to do their best which is what players should do anyway. To use the team concept argument suggests that some PGA players not in contention are not doing their best if they are not in contention. This is an absurd argument and it is better for the fans (remember them) if the players do their best throughout the tournament regardless of their standing.

[@billfairless6256]

Congratulations to the Committee of The Augusta National on their decision to allow Joaquin to participate in this years Masters. The Committee at Augusta have always sought to have the worlds best players at their event and is a major reason the Tournament is held in the highest regard. They realised this years ago when setting entry qualifications to the event. "The Masters Committee, at its discretion, can also invite any golfer not otherwise qualified, although in practice these invitations are mostly reserved for international players." Well done Augusta National.

[@billymaczko6348]

The team is secondary in LIV. They play as individual within the team, similar to college and high school

[@EC8862]

These takes reek of getting a shoulder-tap from the execs lol. Why is it so ridiculous for an entity called “official world golf ranking” to rank liv when some players who are clearly top 50 aren’t on their list? They’re not official anymore then. And the “they don’t wanna take on teams” argument lol. That’s like saying Schumacher can’t be ranked coz he drives for Ferrari and the ranking organisation just “didn’t wanna take that on”.

[@tonyk501]

All four majors would be wise to ensure that the best players from LIV Golf are always invited to compete moving forward. The OWGR is now a mostly useless mechanism that is not reflective of who the world's best golfers actually are on any given week. At this point, the PGA currently looks like it is either going to end up dying a slow, gradual death, or it will become the designated feeder league for LIV Golf where the bigger dollars will be chased by the world's best pro golfers in the future. And it looks like that "future" is pretty much already here.

[@jimiverson3085]

If you look at Masters invitations, they do have a history of seeking out international players to get the widest possible range of geographies represented. Prior to Matsuyama, they had invited Japanese Tour players who had played very limited events outside of Japan.

[@wreckim]

Yeah, it's called 'inclusion' and affirmative action. Neiman has never won a Major, and now is on LIV....see how that works?

[@Ball_Striker]

Definitely Gooch and Burmester for sure!

[@mrrational2046]

LIV Golf should absolutely get world ranking points!

[@aeneasmacrae5962]

absolutely not.......strictly invitational and 54 holes team play zero chance

[@2Thes22]

Some PGA Tournaments end after 54 holes and still get full OWGR points. Some PGA Tournaments have no cuts and have small fields and still get full OWGR points. Players in the former WGC and HERO receive OWGR points even if they finish last and beat no one. Either the OWGR either ranks all world players or it doesn’t. Excluding LIV from political and is being used as a penalty to LIV and as a bargaining chip for the PGA Tour.

[@2Thes22]

The argument that the team concept is a reason to withhold ranking points is ridiculous. Every player should be playing to do their best whether they have a chance to win or get a top 10 or not. The team concept doesn’t require a player to do anything other than to do their best which is what players should do anyway. To use the team concept argument suggests that some PGA players not in contention are not doing their best if they are not in contention. This is an absurd argument and it is better for the fans (remember them) if the players do their best throughout the tournament regardless of their standing.

[@aeneasmacrae5962]

@@2Thes22 your argument about the PGA Tour having small fields and sometimes 54 holes is ridiculous and not worth wasting my time explaining if you can't see that for yourself. LIV is a invite ONLY. Do you get that??? PGA Tour and other tours that get OWGR points ARE NOT INVITE ONLY> You have to qualify for these tours. But hey keep whining your pathetic song.... it's not going to legitimize LIV and their bush league Tour.

[@wreckim]

Especially when they shoot in the 80s while wearing shorts, listening to Cat Scratch Fever, and riding a bike. I think LIV should certainly add beer to this combo, and man...that's just like my buddies at the local muni.

[@mr.harmon6907]

That was a weird jab at the beginning.

[@Sean_Farmer]

If that was an attempt at humor, it failed in spectacular fashion.

[@leospaceman2976]

@@Sean_Farmertheir “banter” really just comes across as cringey.

[@kjj2550]

The PGA tour is now a watered-down tour, we the fans want the best player in the world playing together. Fact!! 🤦‍♂️🙅‍♂️

[@wreckim]

That's why they added your one best player...Neiman. I guess.

[@chaselleprice2833]

@@wreckim I guess in your mind DJ, Bryson, Brooks Koepka and Cam Smith are has beens and nobodies.

[@jimmywhat1448]

"WORLD" ranking??... You mean PGA ranking..

[@chaselleprice2833]

True, they need to eliminate “world” as it’s become a laughing stock even amongst current PGAT players.

[@2Thes22]

Some PGA Tournaments end after 54 holes and still get full OWGR points. Some PGA Tournaments have no cuts and have small fields and still get full OWGR points. Players in the former WGC and HERO receive OWGR points even if they finish last and beat no one. Either the OWGR either ranks all world players or it doesn’t. Excluding LIV from political and is being used as a penalty to LIV and as a bargaining chip for the PGA Tour. Either the OWGR finds a way to rank all players or they should change their name. They already have no credibility.

[@chaselleprice2833]

OWGR has turned into a complete joke with many current PGAT players voicing the same sentiment.

[@markscott4059]

Do you think Augusta national extend an invite to attend (not play) to Greg Norman?

[@Groovethumper69]

Here’s an easy fix for the trouble of playing Phoenix waste management tournament in the summer: just put up lights and make the WMX open a night golf tournament. It would completely fit with the vibe.

[@MrHobbs-lm8jn]

The Majors face a serious issue without top 6 LIV players in them they are not really Majors thats a fact

[@chaselleprice2833]

They are scared that one of them might win. At least they invited Joaquin Niemann who IMHO is the hottest player this year as he’s contented or won in every event and that includes DPWT, Asian tour and LIV.

[@jayd6068]

I could care less if I watch LIV or PGA. I’m a golf fan in general and I want to watch the best players. At this time, LIV is more exciting to me. The world golf rankings are absolutely useless at this point. It does not reflect accurately the best golfers and that’s ok. However, the majors have to get it right and make sure they get the best players to play not based on OWGR.

[@user-rv1dn2ti6f]

Agreed

[@robertschissler1236]

Right on well stated 😊⛳️😇😉

[@chaselleprice2833]

Agree, we love watching LIV but still enjoy the PGAT as well as some of the DPWT . Just sad that some of the elite players on the PGAT haven’t done much this year.

[@lauriemorgan9083]

WHY the anti LIV attitude. Your argument for LIV teams impacting OWGR ? LIV has individual and team winners. Neumann won 1st LIV and said he wants to play majors. One of the reasons for his masters invite.

[@garydavis8213]

Lav, you’re dead wrong about “the domestic stops”. THIS is one of THE things that’s wrong with the PGAT: the same old stodgy courses, year in and year out. “Kapalua” is recognizable: yeah, and I’m sick of looking at it. Torey Pines, TPC Scottsdale, Bay Hill: sick of looking at em. There are hundreds of beautiful courses around the country that we never see.

[@johnhope7359]

You shouldn't equate the Zurich team event to LIV. The Zurich event is a team only event, whereas LIV is still an individual event where players are also aligned to a team, so that is really not a valid comparison to exclude from OWGR if that is the only issue. Well done on your world tour thoughts Lav, 6 events for the rest of the world outside the US. Tell me all your growing the game comments again. Once again you barely even recognise that golf is played outside the US. If the US players do not want to travel to play in all parts of the world, then please just stop with the growing the game rhetoric. Again, I hope no deal is done with LIV and let LIV become the true world tour. The PGAT can then keep their insular view and deal with the consequences.

[@kennethmckinney2532]

Saying the LIV players aren't trying to quality is a lie of course. Puig, Burmister and Niemann all qualified for The Open by playing in extra events and won to qualify...

[@SiLoMixMaster]

Factual reporting means nothing to most golf media outlets, it's all about pushing an agenda or narrative in most cases.

[@jimiverson3085]

But others refuse to enter qualifying for one or both of the Opens but complain about being "shut out."

[@kennethmckinney2532]

@jimiverson3085 who exactly "refuses to qualify"? Gooch didn't last year for the U.S Open when they changed the rules but he's the only one I'm aware of...

[@robertschissler1236]

Golf Channel is biased propaganda

[@edwardcreighton2638]

Pga tour designed to avoid NFL. Start new tour Middle East 2 events, hit US at Riv (2 weeks for Scottish and Open) until NFL starts with 12 events, then 2 Euro, Japan, other Asian event, Oz, SA, then finish, silly season team event, then Dubai. 24 events min play 18, gives oportunity for players to support home tours. Finished by Thanksgiving. Hope Pga and DP tours survive as feeders. LIV knew rules, 54 holes and teams not get ranking points. 21 LIV players in Asia this week, how many told to support that event as non headlining players of LIV? Great podcast as always.

[@markedwards5512]

The Masters should invite the top 80 or 100. Their field is too small to be considered a major.

[@ashleyoconnor5783]

Cmon guys. No mention of PGAT TV broadcast contracts being entirely dependent on OWGR thresholds? Instead you talk about team aspect of LIV being the hang up with OWGR? Stop insulting your audience with this nonsense. LIV is unquestionably the 2nd best tour in the world. The reason LIV is never getting OWGR is because you wouldn’t have a PGAT if they did.

[@robertschissler1236]

Any majors that don’t include top LIV golfers will lose in the long run 😊⛳️😉

[@DavesMiniMenagerie]

Why are the world ranking points rules set in stone?

[@aeneasmacrae5962]

they are not....changes all the time

[@DavesMiniMenagerie]

@@aeneasmacrae5962 oh ok, from the way they were talking about the owgr they were like some immutable rules. Seems like a minor thing to change the rules otherwise the majors aren't going to have the best players

[@aeneasmacrae5962]

@@DavesMiniMenagerie the LIV players chose to play in the LIV tour KNOWING they will forfeit OWGR pints. Getting in majors has several ways to enter not just OWGR points. It's the Liv players choice to playin a format the excludes them from rankings in OWGR. If they dont like it too bad.

[@DavesMiniMenagerie]

@@aeneasmacrae5962 yeah I get that but why doesn't the owgr just change their rules? It seems bad for the majors to have to exclude good players just because of some owgr rule

[@aeneasmacrae5962]

@@DavesMiniMenagerie well the LIV tour is strictly invite only. It also has a team format and playing only 54 holes. LIV has already made an application but got rejected. I'.m sure there are other reasons. If thats their format they will probably never get OWGR points. And good riddance to them imo.

[@rolfbuff6856]

These Guys talk Pro Golf better than most thanks Gary Koch but Man they bicker more than the Cavs and former Sonics head coaching father son dou.

[@CarlosWeffer]

Yes DP World Tour tried it they didn’t have the marquee players though

[@chaselleprice2833]

All their marquee players followed the money and jumped to the PGAT, many of the current players on the PGAT claim legacy is most important when we all know full well it’s the money. Cut out the large prize purse for the elevated events and you’ll see a mad exodus. They only care about the trophies 🤦🏼‍♀

[@pauljcross2289]

The idea that US players have a problem playing pro golf outside the US, IS SO RIDICULOUS.

[@jsiemering68]

I understand about Gooch since he is an American, why were Puig, Burmister Oosthuizen and Chacarra not invited too who are all international players who won on the DP World tour or ASIA tour.

[@wreckim]

I was never invited when I won my club championship 30 years ago either. All kinds of unfairness going around. They told me I had to win at the highest level....that was MY level. I think Gooch is winning at his level. It makes sense what you are saying.

[@robertschissler1236]

The owgr is a tool used by pga to block top players from playing because on LIV because it would show how weak PGA Tour is

[@jimiverson3085]

Convincing golfer$ to travel abroad? There are way$ to do that. But you also need to schedule dates so the courses are at their best when the big-bucks events hit. The current California swing struggles with weather - those courses would be better served by being used for the FedEx events. Spring events in the Southeast US - TPC, Palmer, maybe one other. Muirfield and a NE event. Wrap Irish and Scottish Opens around the Open Championship. Fall/winter swings in continental Europe, Japan, Middle East, Australia and South Africa - number of tournaments per region TBD.

[@stevenjenkins3882]

LIV just start your own majors

[@kennethmckinney2532]

A World Tour with 75% of the events in the U.S lol...

[@robertschissler1236]

LIV is the new world tour because they want to play everywhere not just USA the top ten LIV players would dominate in all the majors if allowed to compete. If they are not invited I won’t be watching. The LIV players won five DP tournaments in a row. PGA afraid of them using owgr to block them

[@chaselleprice2833]

@@robertschissler1236 So true! LIV players won 5 of the first 6 2024 DPWT events and many of the players are still showing very good form, can’t say that about any of the “elite” PGAT players.

[@stryderja9570]

It wouldn't be the PGAT. PGAT is subordinate to this world tour.

[@josephboza7448]

Joaquin deserves it. If you take his LIV play out of it, he does well when he goes for world ranking points. He is 4th currently in the DP world tour season long race. I think he will still play DP world tour events when he can to stay competitive especially as we get closer to the masters. I know March 1st at Jeddeah when LIV returns they will be a pain in the ass and GLOAT that he got it. He deserved it. I was surprised about Thorbojn Olesen getting as sponsor invite into the masters. He is 59th in the world. Like Rex said, he would have likely gotten in via his ranking for sure. I dont have a problem I was just surprised with Thorborn. Rory doesnt want a global tour. He is desperate for BethPage Black. He knows Team Europe will be short changed thanks to those that ran away. Europe will have to change their rules so that Europe has a chance there. They have to change their schelude. They can keep WM Phoenix Open where it is but there west coast swing was hammered by bad weather. Thats why Pebble Beach nevere got the field it deserved. The big boys dont want to stay past Monday if not Tuesday at the latest.

[@killerfilms4000]

There will be a world tour. Pga, dpwt and the Asian tour maybe some others will all play in there own areas and build up points to play on the world tour which will have the best players on it and yes players will want to go because the prize money will be huge. Pga has taken all the best players and kept them in the us. Time to show the best players all around the world. Liv will break the pga monopoly.

[@Polojohnny]

The Masters is starting to do this right. UNTIL this gets figured out, every major winner here on out comes with an asterisk… because they didn’t compete against the best in the world. And everyone knows it, no matter which side of the argument you are on.

[@chaselleprice2833]

My sentiments exactly! Look at the PGAT along with their elevated events, having 30% of their top 50 players leave made it much easier for others to win.

[@iLovettGolf]

One for Ireland one for Scotland ( combined population 10m) none for England & Wales with 60m?

[@DatDenDude]

I miss the Match Play

[@khemheru1439]

LIV won! Its a slow opening, but they are on the winning side of the coin.

[@YanoPratt]

Travelers should remain - hugely popular with fans and players

[@brendanthornton3527]

LIV should absolutely get OGWR points. As of right now, OGWR is no longer valid since it does not include the best golfers in the world.

[@chaselleprice2833]

Their is another ranking system that has been praised by many on the PGAT, most golfers even a few current PGA players don’t think too highly of the OWGR.

[@pauljcross2289]

The PGAT propaganda is disgraceful....LAv stop the BS spin

[@Kevin-l4]

Rex s strawman argument using Zurich not getting owgr is absurd . Zurich is alternate shot and he bloody well knows that . There is zero connection between Zurich team and LIV format . Square pegs round holes rex

[@Nostalgiasitcoms]

LIV players got paid. LIV owners are throwing money to get a seat at the table when a deal is completed with the tour. Do you really think Players on LIV give a S**t about world ranking points ? No.

[@LouKayne]

BRING BACK THE MATCH PLAY!

[@pauljcross2289]

PIF should buy Euro tour and make it the base for World tour....PGAT will be invited

[@robertschissler1236]

LIV is already world tour get used to it 😊⛳️😇😉

[@johnnybeam8010]

Travelers is the best event on tour and the players love it! Shouldn’t be going anywhere

[@benvilla2435]

Another Biased media

[@Ch4MMPBoi]

If anyone wonders why golf viewership and interest is down, it’s because golf got sold out. 🤷🏼

[@pauljcross2289]

24 events is too many.....

[@user-rv1dn2ti6f]

2 a month is fine

[@woncameron24]

Terrible partners. Every time I try to watch I see arguments and impatience.

[@loganframe5955]

Does anyone turn this off half way through because Rex has gotten annoying. If he’s not talking he’s not interested.

[@garydavis8213]

“Cant ‘find’ a work around.” 😂 🐂💩

[@davidgolfer]

Two clowns!!

[@MrHobbs-lm8jn]

Irregardless is not a word please learn how to speak proper English

[@DaringDan]

Rumor has it, the Prince's Chief Decapitator did a fist pump when he heard the news.

[@SpeechCheck]

Real classy. SMH

[@DaringDan]

@@SpeechCheck You miss the point. You're cool with a dude who has a literal decapitator on payroll with bringing the biggest bag of money to the table and being in charge of the PGA if not in name, but actually in charge? And you're shaking your head at me? Whose heads do you think he takes? Shame on you.

[@PILLGATESUBEEZY]

It means less viewers because there's a bunch of people who don't play for an actual league.

[@Ch4MMPBoi]

Not to mention nobody will ever be able to afford $500 million purses

[@kennethmckinney2532]

Actually it will be quite the opposite. It adds more intrigue for non haters...

[@Ch4MMPBoi]

@@kennethmckinney2532 it doesn’t do anything POSITIVE for golf. At least we can listen to two people who don’t play the sport talk about it on golf channel for the last 12 months. That’s positive for the sport.

[@themastermagicians2745]

Taking millions over playing in major is good trade 🤪

[@chaselleprice2833]

The PGAT should cut millions from their prize purse and see how the players react. They claim legacy is important but if it came with a trophy and smaller paycheck you can bet all of them would be whining.

[@666shredordie]

Okay, so everyone wants "the best players playing together", right? Who disturbed that? Definitely wasn't the PGA. LIV and PIF are acting in bad faith. Period. Why?

[@Jackielikeskillersmiles]

Exactly control over the US market is their ultimate goal

[@londonwines2381]

It's still only 3 rounds! Huge difference on a yearly basis and even preparing for the week. Champions tour with electric ice teas. Can't stand liv, it's gross

[@wu05354207]

GREAT NEWS FOR LIV GOLF !!!!

[@garygorton5203]

Hi Guys Here’s a thought - Tiger Woods should rather follow the path of uniting the game of golf / this BS of PGA vs LIV needs to stop Pls push this agenda - golf is a beautiful game

[@chaselleprice2833]

Tiger is not looking to unite the game of golf, all he wants is to line his pockets. He will never win another PGA event but he is still the GOAT. Playing the champions tour in 2 years is his best bet if he ever wants to win again.