19th Hole

Tiger’s ex-coach claims majors aren’t as important to LIV pros as ‘golf media’ thinks

Published

4 years ago

Jul 28, 2022

One of the most important storylines surrounding LIV Golf is whether or not the PGA Tour defectors will be eligible to play in major championships going forward.

Related: Butch vs Haney? Ex-caddie reveals the coach that Tiger had his best swing under

Players such as Dustin Johnson, Bryson Dechambeau, Bubba Watson, Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson are exempt to play in some of the majors as past champions, but many others do not have that luxury.

Related: Danielle Kang calls out ‘men’s golfing world’ over parking lot incident at golf course

It is also not a guarantee that previously exempt major champions will be eligible to compete in majors in the future depending on what the governing bodies decide to do with players who may be suspended from their respective tours.

Related: Report: Bubba Watson agrees mega-deal with LIV Golf

Provided they remain eligible, the only way for most of the LIV Golf roster to play in majors will be to accrue OWGR points. As of now, LIV Golf events are not worth any points, thus creating a conundrum.

Hank Haney, who shared his thoughts on Twitter, believes the players don’t care as much about being able to play in major championships as “golf media” is making it seem.

The golf media is making such a big deal about OWGR points and majors. A lot of the top LIV players have already won their major. Higher OWGR was a way to make more in endorsements, not much of a worry now if you made the LIV.

— Hank Haney (@HankHaney) July 27, 2022

Haney makes a fair point about players using their OWGR as a way to earn endorsement deals as it is certainly a major factor. However, his comment about players having “won their major” raised some questions. A golfer’s legacy is oftentimes determined by how many majors they’ve won. For the best players in the world, winning majors has always seemed to be of great importance.

Haney also tweeted that for many players, making as much money as possible is the primary goal.

Clearly majors isn’t the be all end all to all players.?is to a majority of them. What are the reasons players want to win majors? ?is high on the list, let’s not be naive. LIV is guaranteed money with huge purses and small fields =?

— Hank Haney (@HankHaney) July 27, 2022

He reiterated in a later tweet that once a player has been paid by LIV, his OWGR becomes irrelevant to them.

Do people really think that somebody who’s won a major or someone who’s likely to never win a major, which pretty much covers everyone, do you think they care what their OWGR is when they signed w LIV for $50m and they are now likely to be making $5m+ expenses paid for 14 weeks?

— Hank Haney (@HankHaney) July 27, 2022

How much each player won at the 2026 Masters

Published

1 month ago

Apr 13, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

Rory McIlroy made it two wins in as many years at Augusta National, seeing off the challengers on a dramatic Sunday to slip on the green jacket once again. The victory earned Rory a whopping payday of $4.5 million, with Scottie Scheffler his closest challenger earning $2.43 million for his sole runner-up finish.

With a total prize purse of $22.5 million up for grabs, here’s a look at how much each player won at the 2026 Masters tournament.

For players that did not make the cut, they still earned $25k for their efforts at the year’s opening major.

1: Rory McIlroy, $4.5 million
2: Scottie Scheffler, $2.43 million
T3: Tyrrell Hatton, $1.08 million
T3: Russell Henley, $1.08 million
T3: Justin Rose, $1.08 million
T3: Cameron Young, $1.08 million
T7: Collin Morikawa, $725,625
T7: Sam Burns, $725,625
T9: Xander Schauffele, $630,00
T9: Max Homa, $630,00
11: Jake Knapp, $562,500
T12: Jordan Spieth, $427,500
T12: Brooks Koepka, $427,500
T12: Hideki Matsuyama, $427,500
T12: Patrick Reed, $427,500
T12: Patrick Cantlay, $427,500
T12: Jason Day, $427,500
T18: Viktor Hovland, $315,000
T18: Maverick McNealy, $315,000
T18: Matt Fitzpatrick, $315,000
T21: Keegan Bradley, $252,000
T21: Ludvig Aberg, $252,000
T21: Wyndham Clark, $252,000
T24: Matt McCarty, $182,083
T24: Adam Scott, $182,083
T24: Sam Stevens, $182,083
T24: Chris Gotterup, $182,083
T24: Michael Brennan, $182,083
T24: Brian Campbell, $182,083
T30: Alex Noren, $146,250
T30: Harris English, $146,250
T30: Shane Lowry, $146,250
T33: Gary Woodland, $121,500
T33: Dustin Johnson, $121,500
T33: Brian Harman, $121,500
T33: Tommy Fleetwood, $121,500
T33: Ben Griffin, $121,500
T38: Jon Rahm, $105,750
T38: Ryan Gerard, $101,250
T38: Haotong Li, $96,750
T41: Justin Thomas, $92,250
T41: Sepp Straka, $87,750
T41: Jacob Bridgeman, $83,250
T41: Kristoffer Reitan, $78,750
T41: Nick Taylor, $74,250
46: Sungjae Im, $69,750
47: Si Woo Kim, $65,250
48: Aaron Rai, $61,650
T49: Corey Conners, $57,600
T49: Marco Penge, $57,600
51: Kurt Kitayama, $55,250
52: Sergio Garcia, $54,000
53: Rasmus Hojgaard, $52,650
54: Charl Schwartzel, $51,300

19th Hole

CBS’s Sunday Masters coverage slammed by golf fans

Published

1 month ago

Apr 13, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

While Sunday was a dramatic day at the Masters, many golf fans were left feeling frustrated by the CBS final round coverage.

There were plenty of moments that golf fans took to social media to air their frustrations on Sunday over, including a lack of shots being shown throughout the day, being behind the live action, confusion over the approach shots of the final group on 18, and providing an angle for the winning putt where the cup couldn’t be seen.

Here’s a look at some of the criticisms that were directed at the CBS coverage throughout the day on X:

This has been a brutal broadcast for CBS. When the folks from Augusta sit down with them this year, you can bet they’ll talk about this 15 seconds where we have no idea where Rory’s ball went, and Dottie moans. #TheMasters pic.twitter.com/ak3mkpIN7V

— Ryan (@PossiblyRy) April 12, 2026

It’s rare criticism coming in for CBS, who are usually heavily praised for their Masters coverage each year.

19th Hole

The surprise club Tommy Fleetwood says is key to his Masters chances

Published

1 month ago

Apr 7, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

Tommy Fleetwood goes in search for the first major victory of his career again this week, with the Englishman proving to be a popular pick at Augusta National.

Fleetwood’s best showing at Augusta came back in 2024 where he finished T3, and while speaking at his pre-tournament press conference, the 35-year-old emphasized the importance of his 9-wood in his pursuit of the green jacket.

Speaking on Tuesday to media, Fleetwood said:

“It’s a great 9-wood golf course. I think it’s always been — I can’t remember when I first put like a 9-wood in or a high lofted club, but it’s a perfect like 9-wood golf course. I’ve had that in the bag for a few years.”

The Englishman continued, revealing that his strategy for the week won’t just be to hit driver off the tee as much as possible:

“Yeah, it’s funny really because I know Augusta is probably associated with being fairly forgiving off the tee in a way, so you think you can whale around driver a little bit. But I don’t necessarily think that’s always the play for me. I think there’s holes that set up really well where I can draw it with the mini driver if I’m feeling less comfortable with the driver and things like that.”

That strategy he believes will make his TaylorMade Qi10 9-wood extra critical this week in Georgia:

“The biggest thing is the 9-wood for me. If I can put myself in position on the par-5s or the 4th long par-3, like it — for me, I can’t really hit that high 4-iron, so 9-wood helps me a lot.”