LIV Golf Players Enter Masters: Who’s Most Likely to Win?

AUGUSTA, Ga. – As the 89th Masters Tournament commences, 12 players from LIV Golf are vying for the coveted green jacket. The first round kicks off Thursday at Augusta National, and expectations are high for several competitors.

Jon Rahm, the reigning Masters champion, looks to regain form after a subpar major season thus far. With current odds at 14-1, Rahm has been consistent on the LIV circuit, though he acknowledges that his recent scores may not reflect his true performance. “I’m playing better than what my scores indicate,” he said, referencing a disappointing game in Miami. His last victory came in September 2024 at LIV Golf Chicago.

Following closely behind in the betting odds is Bryson DeChambeau, listed at 16-1. The U.S. Open champion is coming off a strong performance with a solo fifth finish in Miami. DeChambeau noted, “Making some bogeys for me probably frees me up a little bit. Just go out and play some golf,” highlighting his confidence going into the tournament.

Joaquin Niemann sits at 30-1 and leads LIV Golf in points, having secured two wins in previous events. He has expressed a strong desire to perform well in major tournaments and is expected to be in contention as the weekend approaches.

Brooks Koepka, with odds of 33-1, is also making a show as he ramps up his competition ahead of the major season, securing two top-10 finishes in recent outings. He noted, “It’s important to be hitting my stride at this time of year,” as he aims to improve on his last appearances at Augusta.

Meanwhile, Cameron Smith, who boasts an impressive five top 10 finishes in seven Masters starts, goes in at 50-1. “If I can find my rhythm with the driver, I think I can be a contender,” he commented, aware of the course’s challenges.

Others in the mix include Tyrrell Hatton (55-1) who has had a slow start, but performed commendably at last year’s Masters, and Sergio Garcia (66-1), who is entering in strong form after a recent victory in Hong Kong. Patrick Reed, also at 66-1, brings the experience of a former Masters champion, while Dustin Johnson (80-1) and Phil Mickelson (90-1) show mixed results but have immense potential to surprise.

Bubba Watson has the longest odds at 500-1 but brings a wealth of experience as a two-time champion, although he has missed the cut in his last two Masters appearances.

As the first round progresses, the spotlight is on LIV Golf players to see if they can challenge the field and potentially secure a victory at Augusta.

Statistics highlight the players’ performances; for instance, DeChambeau led the Masters field in driving distance in 2020. Meanwhile, Garcia has finished under par in six of his 25 previous Masters starts and knows the course well. The competition is fierce, with players not just battling each other but also the challenges posed by Augusta’s renowned layout.

The tournament promises to be an exciting showcase of golf talent as these athletes push for a place in Masters lore.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.