The discord that has so often existed within the golfing community in recent years appears to have been shelved as players from rival tours look to put aside their differences at Augusta
LIV Golf’s rebels vowed to respect the traditions of the Masters by not wearing any apparel bearing the logo of the breakaway circuit at Augusta National as they returned to the tournament last year.
The ongoing civil war within the world of golf shows seldom signs of tangible resolve as progress continues to stall over the slated merger. Despite a ‘framework agreement’ having been heralded between all parties last June, a binding deal between the PIF-backed entity with the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour has not been forthcoming.
This impasse in developments has stretched into the fourth month of 2024, with an extension having already been sought at the turn of last year for talks to finally materialise. Amid the uncertainty within the sport currently, LIV Golf stars are returning to Augusta to compete against their former PGA Tour colleagues once more.
Anger has subsided somewhat since this time last year, when all eyes were on the LIV Golf stars returning to Augusta and competing in the 2023 Masters. Amid plenty of outrage at their involvement, LIV defectors reached an agreement to try and be ‘respectful’ to the historic event.
Players decided against wearing any of their LIV Golf branding on bags, shorts and caps, apart from those who lacked sponsorship deals with their apparel. According to The Telegraph, the move was decided in a pre-meeting tournament ‘out of respect’ for the Masters.
Cameron Smith gave a balanced perspective on the subtle situation at the time, explaining: “I have another set of clothes made up this week without them [the team logos].
We haven’t really heard much from Augusta National about the logos,” he continued, before launching a veiled response to the LIV tour’s critics, adding: “For me personally, I’m really proud of where I’m at and what I’m doing. Unless it’s a problem for these guys, I’m going to wear it.”
Eventually, most LIV Golf players reverted to their sponsor’s apparel and ditched the LIV-branded clothing. This time around, however, player seem to have got braver. Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau were among those spotted wearing their LIV Golf team hats in practice earlier in the
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