Well that all got out of hand. Really quickly. After golf’s biggest story in a long, long time, the players are now attempting to shift their focus back to golf majors and the US Open. Let’s do the same, as this huge merger story keeps unravelling.
When it comes to professional golf these days, there’s more drama away from the course than on it.
The whole PGA-LIV thing has been an unavoidable talking point this year, as evidenced in Netflix‘s released Full Swing docu-series. And if it was the elephant in the room during earlier tournaments this year, it’s now the Antarctic blue whale in the room.
And fans have every right to feel confused and unsure about what it all means for the illustrious golf majors that we’re of course looking forward to.
Anyway, let’s just hone back in on the actual golf for a moment.
Golf majors schedule for 2023
As usual, the lead up to golf’s majors includes the PGA Tour’s ‘unofficial major’ The Players. And given the prize-money and prestige, it’s worth including, as we run through the biggest golfing events on the calendar.
*The Players Championship, TPC Swagrass: March 7-12 | DONE
The Masters, Augusta National Golf Club: April 6-9 | DONE
The PGA Championship, Oak Hill Country Club: May 15-21 | DONE
The US Open Championship, Los Angeles Country Club: June 15-18 | DONE
The Open, Royal Liverpool: July 16-23 | NOW DONE
*The unofficial fifth major
2023 Golf Majors results update
The Players Championship | Winner: Scottie Scheffler
The Masters | Winner: Jon Rahm
PGA Championship | Winner: Brooks Koepka
US Open | Wyndham Clark
The British Open | Brian Harmon
2024 Golf Majors dates
*The Players Championship: March 12-17, 2024 (unofficial fifth major)
The Masters: April 8-14, 2024
PGA Championship: May 13-19, 2024
US Open: June 13-16, 2024
The Open Championship: July 14-21, 2024
Which of the four golf majors are LIV players eligible for?
All four.
Despite concerns and confusion around whether golfers that had defected to the LIV tour on ludicrous money could still play in the majors, they have been and are able to.
The PGA of America had updated and announced its eligibility requirements for the 2023 PGA Championship, which was the final piece of the golf majors jigsaw puzzle. Ironically, a LIV player ended up claiming the title.
Previously, the championship’s bylaws ‘required players to be PGA of America members in order to play in the PGA Championship, gained through their membership on the PGA Tour.’
As for exactly how all the rules now shake out after the dust starts settling on this huge merger news, we shall have to wait and see. Earlier this year, LIV golfers were banned from the PGA Tour
LIV golfers are banned from the PGA Tour, but because the golf majors are run by various associations, the rules and laws are slightly different for each of them.
Not one of the golf majors, but The Players draws near
The entire tour spends extra attention and energy for The Players Championship, the unofficial fifth major; famously the largest purse in golf – $20 million and $3.6M for the winner – and there’s great prestige and respect on the line.
The Players takes place on one of the most challenging courses anywhere in the world, TPC Sawgrass… even the name is enough to strike a bit of fear into the field.
Can LIV golfers enter The Players Championship?
Cam Smith will not be back to defend his Players crown; LIV golfers have not been invited.
Right now, this is the biggest tournament that LIV defectors are sacrificing.
How to watch every golf major
Wondering how to watch this week’s PGA Championship?
The Players Championship and all four golf majors are available to watch and stream live via Foxtel and Kayo.
Who are the defending champs for each of the golf majors?
Cameron Smith – The Players, 2022
Aussie Cam Smith claimed the $3.6M mega purse in 2022, winning the tournament by one stroke ahead of Anirban Lahiri.
Again, this is not considered one of the four majors, but it was a huge moment for Smith and one of the biggest on the tour last year.
17th hole. Nearly $4m on the line, and Cam Smith did this…
— BettingOdds (@BettingOddsUK) March 15, 2022
The 33/1 shot played some stunning golf on his way to winning the #PlayersChampionship! 🥶
📹 @PGATOUR
BeGambleAware | 18+ pic.twitter.com/391Giq5Fb5
Scottie Scheffler – The Masters, 2022
The American entered the 2022 Masters as world number one and didn’t he deliver? Scheffler cruised to victory on the final round, finishing three strokes ahead of Rory McIlroy.
Justin Thomas – PGA Championship, 2022
As unpacked in the first episode of Full Swing, Thomas did the seemingly impossible by correcting a seven-shot deficit heading into the final round to beat Will Zalatoris.
Matt Fitzpatrick – The US Open, 2022
Englishman Matt Fitpatrick compiled some of the most pure and classy golf of the calendar year to cement his place in history. Keen to relive it? Here’s how he did it.
Cameron Smith – The Open, 2022
What a famous win it was, as the Aussie denied Rory McIlroy’s poetic dream of claiming the 150th running of The Open, which was back at St Andrew’s.
When is the Open Championship golf major? JULY 16-23
The Open Championship is at Royal Liverpool Golf Club this year, in the UK’s Merseyside region.
Cameron Smith is the defending champion.
Which well-known golfers joined the LIV tour?
Cameron Smith was the biggest domino to fall, of course.
Along with him, there were some heavyweights that announced their move in 2022; Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Bubba Watson, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed, Sergio García, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Henrik Stenson, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Lee Westwood.
