In a little over a month, it will be time to cue up the Augusta instrumental music and enjoy that symbolic stroll down magnolia lane. This will be the 87th edition of the Masters tournament played at Augusta National Golf Club. The azaleas will be in perfect full bloom and the greens will be lightning fast. The tradition and history will be rich with wonderful moments like the Par 3 tournament and the ceremonial tee shots from the honorary starters who were Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson in 2022. The Masters has always been a tournament where the course seemed to be the star and the players a supporting cast on a grand movie set. The question was always who would rise up above the others and seize the moment on this grand stage. Golfers who have, cemented their legacy in the game and have earned a lifetime inclusion in an ultra-exclusive club.
While it will be refreshing to bask in everything that is traditional at the years first major, it also easy to see that the present trajectory of professional golf and many associated with it are more divided than ever. Additionally, that divide has made it to the fans or patrons as they are called at the Masters. A recent social media post by a major golf outlet asked fans what they would rather see at the 2023 Masters. One of the choices was a player from LIV Golf wins. That’s what you would call throwing red meat to both “sides” and sit back watching your click count soar. Unfortunately, the golf world is more divided than ever due to the golf tour wars and the Masters will be the explosive stadium where all this energy comes together. In a way, and for the first time in memory, the players will dominate the story. It will be a new Masters.
The question as to whether LIV Tour players would be banned from playing in the Masters was answered about a month ago. Since then, The Open Championship has also affirmed that they will not change qualification standards for entry in their championship in 2023 either. Thus, that finalized that the four major championships would remain neutral in the battle between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. Smartly, it cemented the four major championships as the standard to which a professional golf career will continue to be measured. Additionally, and surely not on accident, it ensured that golf fans will be even more eager to tune into the major championships. These tournaments will bring together the top players from both tours to go head to head. They now also give many fans the opportunity to not only root for their favorite tour but against those on the other tour. Think Ryder Cup, us versus them, but hopefully still with some level of decorum.
Don’t forget the players when discussing the intensity and will to prevail at the Masters. Some of the back and forth has gotten personal and in other cases amplified through formal media and social media. You have a handful of players who have gone to LIV Golf who are on the clock related to being able to play in all four majors anymore. These LIV Golf players are no longer receiving OWGR points and are falling down the rankings and time is their biggest enemy. A win at the Masters brings a lifetime exemption to play in the tournament plus it gives the player a five year exemption into the other three major tournaments. These players who are on the clock will be wanting and needing a win badly. Then, think about the previous champions. These are world class players who, while exempt, certainly have something to prove on the course. They also could use a five year exemption into the other three majors in certain player scenarios. Lastly, PGA Tour players who have been vocal about being on the right side of the tour wars certainly have the ambition to back up their comments.
So, all four major championships have stayed out of the politics of the tour wars. By doing so, they set the stage to bring the best golfers in the world together. In a little over a month, Augusta National Golf Club will host the Masters. Some fans will be tuning in to see the beauty and rolling hills of arguably the most exclusive and beautifully historic golf course in the world. However, many more will be tuning in to root for their preferred player on their preferred tour. It’s going to make for a new Masters in 2023. Change is timeless and as the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said about 2,500 years ago “the only thing that is constant is change.” Hopefully, in this case change is a good thing.