The 2025 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, scheduled for April 10–13, will see 11 golfers from LIV take to the greens. Joaquin Niemann, who received a special invite last year, is currently ranked No. 72 in the world by the OWGR and needs to break into the top 50 to qualify.
Niemann has been a sensation on the LIV Golf scene, leading the league in birdies and eagles and boasting the second-highest greens in regulation percentage at nearly 73 percent.
He secured two victories in 2024, one in Mayakoba and another in Jeddah, solidifying his elite status. Niemann pocketed over $27 million for the season, bolstered by a $12 million individual championship bonus for his second-place overall finish.
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However, the Official World Golf Ranking [OWGR] doesn't recognise any of these wins, creating a paradox where Niemann's undeniable success doesn't contribute towards what many golfers consider the ultimate prize: winning majors, specifically the Masters.
Chilean golfer Niemann has experienced a rollercoaster season across the major tournaments, as highlighted by his 22nd-place at the Masters which surpassed the performance of several prominent LIV Golf players but was marred by a second-round 78. His driving at the PGA Championship also disappointed with a mere 58.9 percent accuracy, in sharp contrast to winner Xander Schauffele's 73.2 percent and Brendon Todd's 76.8 - which meant he finished tied 39th.
Niemann, meanwhile, finished even lower at the Open - finishing tied 58th - and he didn't compete at the US Open. He faces challenges in qualifying for the coming Masters, requiring either a past win, a top 50 world ranking, or success in a qualifying event like the impending DP World Tour 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
Amidst difficulties LIV golfers have had with official rankings, here is a focus on those meeting the criteria to vie for the green jacket next year. Peter Dawson of the OWGR commented, "It is unfortunate that no way to include LIV Golf in the Ranking could be found which would be fair and equitable to the 24 currently eligible tours and their thousands of playing members."
LIV Golf 2025 Masters Qualifiers
- Jon Rahm
- Dustin Johnson
- Patrick Reed
- Sergio Garcia
- Bubba Watson
- Charl Schwartzel
- Phil Mickelson
- Brooks Koepka
- Bryson DeChambeau
- Cam Smith
- Tyrrell Hatton
