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The LIV Golf Players at the 2026 MastersErick W. Rasco - Getty Images
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When the world’s best golfers tee it up at Augusta National this week, they will come from nearly every corner of professional golf. That includes 10 players from LIV Golf, a professional men’s tour founded in 2021. As of April 1, 92 players were invited to the 2026 Masters, so just over 10% of the field this year stems from LIV. This year’s group of 10 is one fewer than competed in 2025. Five of the 10 are past Masters champions.
The LIV players competing at the 2026 Masters are Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton, Dustin Johnson, Tom McKibbin, Carlos Ortiz, Jon Rahm, Charl Schwartzel, Cameron Smith, and Bubba Watson. Phil Mickelson had been scheduled to compete but withdrew in early April, citing a “family health matter” and that he would be “out for an extended period of time.”
The name “LIV” refers to the Roman numeral for 54, the number of holes played at each event. By contrast, players on the PGA tour play 72 holes. However, as of 2026, LIV tour events will also move to 72-hole events.
While the PGA Tour still boasts more than 100 players, some have switched over to LIV for higher contracts, bigger signing bonuses, and lighter playing schedules. The league is backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). This has prompted criticism from commentators that the endeavor is reflective of “sportswashing,” which is the practice of using high-profile sporting events, acquisitions, sponsorships, etc. to distract from human rights abuses while improving a country or organization’s tarnished reputation.
The Masters, run and organized exclusively by Augusta National Golf Club and not the PGA of America, does not restrict entry based on tour affiliation. So the prestigious tournament has included LIV players since the tour’s formation. However, the PGA Tour has suspended and banned players who joined the rival Saudi-backed league from participating in PGA Tour events, tournaments, and other sanctioned activities. But the PGA Tour has since established a returning member program that would allow players to rejoin the tour if they choose, as Brooks Koepka did earlier this year.
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