The Masters: LIV golfers welcomed with open arms at Augusta as Cameron Smith and Dustin Johnson address media
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Updated 04/04/2023 at 16:32 GMT
With The Masters getting underway this Thursday, it’ll be the first time LIV golfers will participate with their former colleagues in months. With the new circuit causing such uproar, many were left wondering what this week's experience would be like for those players, and so far, it has been business as usual. Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson have been speaking to the media.
'I wasn't sure what to expect' – Smith pleased with welcome LIV golfers receive at the Masters
The excitement and anticipation for the season’s first major is always palpable, but with LIV Golf defectors being included in the field with many PGA Tour and DP World Tour stars for the first time, all eyes will be closely following what unfolds in the hope of some potential drama at The Masters.
However, it has all been rather muted thus far with many LIV golfers speaking positively of their experience on site at Augusta National.
Monday marked the start of media duties for many of the players taking part this week, which included a slate of LIV players, who had only finished up their latest tournament in Orlando on Sunday, and many of them were asked a similar line of questioning. How has it been onsite so far? Are the guys happy to see you? What were you expecting?
Current Open champion, Cameron Smith, addressed some of these queries.
“I spent probably an hour out on the range already this afternoon," said Smith. "It was good to see some familiar faces.
"Lots of laughs and lots of handshakes, and it was really nice. I really wasn't sure what I was going to expect walking on to the range, but it was good to see some familiar faces and a lot of smiles.”
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Amateur Harrison Crowe of Australia, Cameron Smith of Australia, and Adam Scott of Australia walk down the third fairway during a practice round prior to the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 04, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia.
Image credit: Getty Images
An often controversial figure, Bryson DeChambeau also offered his thoughts on what the mood and reaction has been since arriving on the property.
“Unbelievable," he said. Scottie [Scheffler], I gave him a hug. Haven't seen him in a long time. Sam [Burns], same thing. Everybody has been fantastic. I've had no issues.”
Former World No.1 and 2020 Masters champion Dustin Johnson echoed a similar sentiment.
“I'm here at the Masters and enjoying this week," added Johnson. "This week's all about Augusta. It has nothing to do with where you play at, but guys that are here, they play all around the world. Not everybody just plays on one spot.
"For me, like I said, all my buddies are still my buddies. I enjoy seeing them. It's nice to see a lot of the guys because I haven't seen them all that much. So it should be a great week and I'm looking forward to it.”
The same greetings may not find the likes of Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson, who have been more outspoken in their opinions towards the PGA Tour and its players. More will likely be said as the pair attend the Champions Dinner this evening, an event where former Champions attend for a meal hosted by the current winner.
A lot has been made about the battle between the PGA and LIV, with fans and the media licking their lips at the thought of golfers from both circuits going head-to-head down the stretch on Sunday for this years first major, but regardless of the outcome, Smith noted it was important for LIV to be in the conversation.
“I think it's just important for LIV guys to be up there because I think we need to be up there." said the 29-year-old.
"I think there's a lot of chatter about these guys don't play real golf; these guys don't play real golf courses. For sure, I'll be the first one to say, the fields aren't as strong. I'm the first one to say that.
“But we've still got a lot of guys up there that can play some really serious golf, and we compete against each other hard week-in and week-out and we're trying to do the same things that we did six months ago. It's nice.
"It's a good feeling to have that competition, and it's good to see Brooks win last week [at the LIV event in Orlando]. He's playing some really good golf again. I think we just need a good, strong finish.”
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