LIV Golf players given green light to play in 2023 Masters

LIV Golf players, including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed, have given the green light to play in next year’s Masters.

Former winners Phil Mickelson and Charl Schwartzel are among the LIV Golf players who have been given the green light to play in next year's Masters. Picture: Andrew Redington/Getty Images.

The decision was confirmed in a statement issued today by Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley.

It read: “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.

“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 honor the tradition of bringing together a preeminent 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.”

Mickelson, Reed and Johnson are all former Masters champions, as are fellow LIV Golf players Charl Schwartzel, Bubba Watson and Sergio Garcia. At least 16 LIV players are currently exempt for the 2023 edition.