For LIV Golf's top-ranked player, Joaquin Niemann, a special invitation was his only ticket to the Masters. He's one of many LIV stars currently at risk of missing out on future majors.
Back in 2018, the young Chilean was the No. 1 amateur in the world and had just won the Latin American Amateur Championship to earn one of the most coveted gifts in the sport: an invitation to the Masters.
Niemann's journey is unique but not singular. At 25 years old, he has his entire career still ahead of him. Most players who opted for LIV are veterans with plenty of majors experience and exemptions to the sport's most prestigious tournaments. Even defending champion, who is 27, said this week that being able to play in all majors for the next five years as a result of winning the Masters solidified his decision to leave the PGA Tour.
As the sport's future ecosystem remains unclear with no deal imminent between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, the chances for LIV's rank-and-file to find their way to a major are slim to none unless they attempt to go the Niemann route -- and even that isn't a guarantee. "It's not a two-year thing," DeChambeau said."Like it needs to happen quicker rather than later just for the good of the sport. Too many people are losing interest."
"Let me think about it," Niemann recalled joking. The moment was not unprecedented, as the Masters has given out special invitations before, but it was certainly notable given Niemann's league affiliation. "Do I want to play a full schedule? You know what, I don't know," DeChambeau said."We'll see how things shake out. I don't know what the future is going to look like, and I'm not here to decide that."
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