The first round of the 2026 Masters was a tough one for players representing LIV Golf, as only Sergio Garcia managed to finish the day with a score of even par. While Garcia's performance put him tied for 17th place, the rest of the LIV participants struggled, with no one breaking into the top 15 after Thursday's action at Augusta National.
Garcia, a past champion of the tournament, recorded a solid round of 72. Meanwhile, notable players from LIV Golf found themselves trailing behind. Dustin Johnson, another former Masters champion, finished one stroke over par with a 73, placing him in a tie for 33rd. Both Cameron Smith and Tyrrell Hatton ended the day at 2-over par 74, landing them in a tie for 40th.
Looking further down the leaderboard, Tom McKibbin and Charl Schwartzel each posted scores of 3-over par 75, landing in a tie for 48th. Bryson DeChambeau and Bubba Watson struggled, ending the round at 4-over par 76, while Jon Rahm and Carlos Ortiz found themselves further back with scores of 6-over par 78 and 8-over par 80, respectively.
From the ten LIV golfers in the field, DeChambeau, Rahm, Hatton, Smith, Ortiz, and McKibbin were among those aiming to qualify via methods other than their past championship status. However, their efforts fell short as none of them managed to surpass the 2-over mark. "I just need to start the ball on my line a little better. I'm starting it too far left and overdrawing it sometimes, and that's cost me a few shots out here this week," said DeChambeau reflecting on his performance. He continued, "I'm putting well, and I just didn't read enough break into that last [putt]." His comments indicate a hope to improve as the tournament progresses.
The round was not without challenges. DeChambeau added, "Yeah, there's no doubt there was a fight out there. The wind was all over the place. I was super frustrated in my own right. Just hitting shots and having the wind completely flip when I hit shots." The weather conditions certainly contributed to the difficulties faced by many players throughout the day.
Before the tournament began, Phil Mickelson had planned to compete but withdrew, leaving behind a legacy as a two-time Masters champion. Patrick Reed remains a significant presence with his lifetime exemption from his 2018 victory, although he played in the LIV Tour until the end of the previous year. Additionally, Joaquín Niemann, who enjoyed a special invite to the Masters in previous years, did not receive one this time around, further illustrating the evolving landscape of professional golf.
As the week progresses, players will look to overcome their early-round blunders and make a charge up the leaderboard. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if any LIV golfers can rebound in the second round and improve on their initial scores.