Why LIV Golf were the biggest losers following the 2026 Masters as worrying stat emerges

Add as preferred source on Google

There seemed to be a fantastic chance of a LIV Golf player winning The Masters for the first time heading into Augusta National this past week.

The move to 72-hole events ahead of this season looked to be inspired from LIV Golf. Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau have won their last three tournaments between them, with DeChambeau edging out Rahm in a playoff in South Africa last time out.

How many more majors does Rory McIlroy win in 2026?

He's now halfway to a second Career Grand Slam!!

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Unfortunately, The Masters proved to be a major anticlimax for those who follow the breakaway league.

In fact, the final leaderboard at Augusta National should set the alarm bells ringing for those associated with LIV.

LIV Golf players almost nowhere to be seen on the leaderboard at The Masters

Tyrrell Hatton had a superb week at the first major of the year. The Englishman – who had finished inside the top 15 in each of the previous two Masters – posted a 66 on Sunday to end up in a tie for third.

But that is where the good news for LIV players largely ends. Their next best performer was Dustin Johnson, who finished in a tie for 33rd.

DeChambeau missed the cut after a nightmare conclusion to his second round. Meanwhile, Rahm was able to get away early having started the final round at five over par.

It turns out that it is the first time since the US Open in 2022 that LIV have had just one player in the top 30 of a major.

Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau would be forgiven for considering their futures after such an amazing start to the season

Rightly or wrongly, there is a perception that playing on LIV simply does not really help players prepare for the four biggest events of the year.

Just two players have won a major after deciding to make the move to LIV. This past week will have only damaged the league’s reputation further.

Rahm was a PGA Tour player the last time he finished inside the top 10 at The Masters. Whether the perception is fair or not, it is getting harder and harder for supporters of LIV to argue that jumping to the league benefits players on the course.

LIV events certainly do not appear to take place at the kind of venues that help get their players ready for the majors.

DeChambeau and Rahm handed LIV a big victory with their decision to snub the chance to return to the PGA Tour this season.

But it would only be natural if they were now wondering, having looked so impressive in recent weeks, whether their ceiling has dropped because of where they ply their trade.