When it comes to major championship invitations, matters of the English language prove important.
There is, for example, a reason why our verb of choice for those who receive a spot in the Masters field is earned. If you were to list the (many) great traits about Augusta National, its openness and accessibility would likely not be included.
Augusta, much like its yearly event in April, continues to maintain its reputation for being selective and exclusive.
The Masters tournament only extends invitations to the top players who have proven themselves worthy.
Unfortunately, this year, Talor Gooch did not make the cut due to OWGR rules and some players choosing to join LIV Golf for significant financial rewards. “You probably already know this.
Just a week ago, Gooch stated that he believed if Rory McIlroy were to win the Masters this year in April, it would be seen as less significant due to LIV’s failure to ensure its players received
invitations to major tournaments.”
Gooch stated that if Rory McIlroy achieves his grand slam without facing some of the top players, it will have an asterisk next to it.
Gooch believes that everyone benefits when major tournaments include the best players.
Of course, nearly all of the best players in the world will, in fact, be at the Masters, by nearly every objective standard. The best players on the PGA Tour will be there by virtue of OWGR status and other exemptions. The best LIV players will be there too, many of whom have major-championship exemptions from victories over the last several seasons or at Augusta itself. Just a few weeks ago, Augusta National even went as far as to invite a non-exempt LIV player, Joaquin Niemann, whose recent form and competitive efforts to make himself Masters-eligible (including starts in Australia during the offseason) showed he was deserving of a spot.
“I’m very happy to see Joaco get invited,” Niemann’s LIV teammate Jon Rahm said of the former’s exemption. “To be fair, he’s shown the interest of wanting to qualify many different ways and has played the way you’re supposed to play, so I think it’s only right that he gets invited.”
But Gooch, who did not have preexisting status in any of the majors before joining LIV Golf for a considerable sum of money, is not included on that list. He will be watching the action from Augusta from home this year, the consequence of his own decisions, yes, and also the thorny issue of the majors figuring out whether they should adhere to their long-term guidelines for eligibility (the OWGR) or invite players on the basis of merit on their respective home tours.
Due to winning the Masters last year, Rahm is not concerned about these problems, but it appears he is still anxious.
Speaking from LIV Hong Kong on Wednesday, Rahm addressed the discussion regarding eligibility for major championships, expressing his belief that a notable participant, Talor Gooch, would be absent from the majors this year.
“I believe that one player who performed exceptionally well throughout last season but has been somewhat overlooked is Talor Gooch. I think he should be considered for an invitation to participate in major tournaments.
He was the standout player last year and his performance clearly demonstrates his ability to compete in the majors.”
According to Rahm, it is important for the governing bodies responsible for the major tournaments to give LIV a fair chance before excluding the top players from the tour.
Gooch, who has won three times and earned $35 million over the past two years, is definitely eligible to be included.
Rahm stated that although there is no definite route to majors through LIV, he believes that everyone should be considered. While that statement is accurate, it is still uncertain how Rahm’s theory aligns with actuality.
The Masters and other tournaments could potentially introduce a LIV exemption category, but this would be a groundbreaking move that modern
golf has never experienced. Additionally, golf’s regulatory organizations are not known for swift action.
Gooch and Rahm received disappointing news that they may struggle in the first major of the year as the situation is easily understood and accepted.
Masters invitations are not handed out, they must be earned through hard work and dedication.”