PGA TOUR or LIV: Who Will Win Bragging Rights?

The Masters is finally upon us. What many consider the best tournament in golf has finally arrived.

This Masters is a little different from the previous tournaments. The Masters this year marks the first one with the existence of the LIV Tour.

It will also be the first time LIV and PGA Tour players will play together. This can make for interesting pairings once the cut is made. I believe this tournament will become the most viewed of all time.

As a player, I have to think it means more because you’re also competing for your respective tour. Whichever tour can have a player win will get bragging rights for winning the first head-to-head tournament against each other.

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Golf Digest (@golfdigest)

The chances of a LIV player winning will be less than those on the PGA Tour. This is simply because the number of contestants from LIV involved is only 18. However, this does not mean it will be impossible.

Having players such as Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson Dechambaeu, and Cam Smith, all of who have won a major, helps LIV compete for the statement win against the PGA Tour.

The PGA Tour will hope that their stars who have won a major can secure the victory. These names consist of Rory McIlroy, who is looking for the grand slam, Jon Rahm, Matthew Fitzpatrick, and world number one Scottie Scheffler.

Other names who are looking for their first career major win are Tony Finau, Will Zalatoris, and Viktor Hovland.

Returning to Augusta feels like returning home for Cameron Smith. His attention this week is squarely on the Green Jacket. #themasters pic.twitter.com/RjPIxhFbQz

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 4, 2023

My favorite for the win this week in Augusta, Georgia, is last year’s golfer of the year, Cam Smith. After joining LIV, Smith’s name was only used in a negative way which did not do the young player justice. Smith is a player who was in the running with Scottie Scheffler last year until his disastrous 12th hole.

The Open Championship, where Smith claimed victory was impressive, to say the least, as he shot an 8 under in the final round to get the win.

Cam Smith’s wedge play is one of the best in the game and helped lead him to that victory at the Open. I say all this because although he is not talked about in the news as much because of the tour he plays on.

Do not forget what he has done and what he has the potential to do at this year’s Masters tournament.

Cover Image Via iNews