Scheffler expects no LIV-PGA tension at Masters champs dinner

In this April 10, 2022 file photo, Scottie Scheffler of the US poses in his green jacket with the trophy after winning The Masters. (Reuters)
Short Url
Updated 16 March 2023
Follow

Scheffler expects no LIV-PGA tension at Masters champs dinner

  • LIV and PGA players will compete against each other at all four of this year’s major championships

WASHINGTON: World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler said Wednesday that he expects some of golf’s greatest legends will put aside the PGA Tour-LIV Golf feud at next month’s Masters Champions Dinner.

Scheffler, coming off a victory at The Players Championship on Sunday, revealed his menu for this year’s gathering after winning last year’s green jacket at Augusta National.

The 26-year-old American also said that he hasn’t decided what he will say in his speech to the past winners, but he will count upon them to be on their best manners despite a split that has divided golf’s elite talent.

“I haven’t totally decided what I’ll say,” Scheffler said. “I’m not quite sure what the vibe will be like but I think we’re all there to play in the tournament and celebrate the Masters and celebrate all being past champions.

“I think the dinner will be really special for all of us to be able to gather together again and I’m sure we’ll put all that other stuff aside and just have a good time together.

“Just because guys joined another tour doesn’t mean that I’m not friends with them anymore and that I think differently of them as people. They are still my friends and we’re all just going to hang out and have a good time.”

The Saudi-backed LIV Golf League has opened its second campaign and players gather this week in Tucson, Arizona, while the PGA Valspar Championship is being staged near Tampa, Florida.

With record $25 million purses and 54-hole events, LIV Golf lured away several top players from the PGA last year, resulting in a ban from playing tour events and a court case set to reach trial next year.

The PGA Tour has made changes to its format and prize money to better compete with LIV offerings, but hard feelings remain from some players at the rebels.

LIV and PGA players will compete against each other at all four of this year’s major championships, which have not followed the tour in banning LIV talent.

Three-time Masters champion and six-time major winner Phil Mickelson, fellow Americans Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson and Patrick Reed, South African Charl Schwartzel and Spain’s Sergio Garcia are LIV Golf players who have won green jackets to earn a spot at the Champions Dinner.

Mickelson said Wednesday that he has no idea what awaits on his trip down Magnolia Lane for the year’s first major on April 6-9.

“No expectations. We are grateful to just be able to play and compete and be a part of it,” Mickelson said. “A lot of the people there that are playing and competing in the Masters are friend for decades and I’m looking forward to seeing them again.”

Scheffler’s menu includes Texas ribeye steak, blackened redfish, tortilla soup, firecracker shrimp, cheeseburger sliders and a warm chocolate chip skillet cookie with ice cream.

Scheffler had a chance to practice at Augusta National, including the lengthened par-5 13th hole.

“It’s like 30 yards longer probably,” he said. “I usually hit a big hooking 3-wood off that tee and now I hit driver on a little bit of a different angle. So it has definitely changed the hole significantly.

“You could see more guys laying up to that hole, especially depending upon pin position, but we’ll see how it plays during the tournament.”


Thompson seizes lead on second day of Saudi Open

Updated 12 December 2025
Follow

Thompson seizes lead on second day of Saudi Open

  • 5 Arab players, including Saudi Arabia’s Al-Kurdi and Morocco’s Bresnu, make the weekend cut

RIYADH: Australian Jack Thompson put to rest any doubts that he would not keep his Asian Tour card for next year by charging into the lead at the halfway mark of the Saudi Open presented by PIF.

And in a boost for the Middle East, Saudi Arabia’s Shergo Al-Kurdi and Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu were among five regional competitors to make the cut into the weekend.

They qualified alongside the UAE’s Joshua Grenville-Wood, Qatar’s Daniil Sokolov and El-Mehdi Fakori, also of Morocco.

Thompson carded a seven-under-par 65 to take a one-shot lead at the season-ending event, at Dirab Golf & Country Club just outside Riyadh.

Swede Bjorn Hellgren, playing in the same group, also fired a 65, to sit in second place while Malaysia’s Ervin Chang (64), and Runchanapong Youprayong (66) from Thailand are another stroke back.

Thompson started the week in 62nd place on the Tour’s Order of Merit, with the top-65 keeping their cards next year. He is comfortably on course to make it through with a win predicted to catapult him into seventh place.

However, there remains a long way to go and the 28-year-old from Adelaide, chasing his first win on the Asian Tour, is not getting ahead of himself.

“I mean, it’s fun to be up the top and playing because sometimes if you just make the cut or whatever, you know, obviously you’re happy to play four rounds.

“But sometimes it can be pointless, make a birdie, and might move you up a couple spots. But it’s always fun to play when it means something. So, yeah, very lucky.”

Japan’s Kazuki Higa, the Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, took a huge stride forward to finishing the year ranked No. 1 by shooting a 66 to sit five back of the leader, in joint ninth.

It means Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent, in second place on the Merit list and five-under for the tournament after a 69, when he played with Higa, needs to either win the tournament or finish second to overtake the Japanese star.

Saudi Arabia’s Al-Kurdi produced a one-under-par round to move to four-under for the tournament and secure his place for the weekend. “I felt like I had it a lot better today.

“I did a little bit of work last night, just a little bit on the scoring. I still need to work on my approach game, a little bit on proximity. I might change the plan on a couple of holes.

“It is just a couple of funky tee shots where I need to build a better plan regarding the wind. But I am in a good position. I just need to stick to the plan and take good shots.”

Meanwhile, Morocco’s Bresnu signed for a round of 72 to stay at six-under-par overall, keeping himself well positioned heading into the final two days of the Saudi Open. “Today was a little bit tough for me,” he said.

“It was not like yesterday, but in golf it is never the same, that is the beauty of it. I had seven pars and missed four birdie chances inside nine feet (2.7 meters), so it was hard, but I stayed patient.

“The course was in great condition but really tough. I still have two rounds to go, and I am glad I made the cut. We will see.”