No plans for LIV to get direct entry

Players who compete on the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit should not expect to see a special exemption that would give them a direct pathway into the Masters any time soon, Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley said on April 9.

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The United States Golf Association (USGA), which organises the US Open, created an exemption in February for LIV Golf players and the R&A followed suit five days later in announcing a formal pathway for those on the breakaway circuit.

Ridley, speaking during his annual pre-Masters press conference, downplayed the need for the club to create a qualifying criteria for LIV Golf.

"Some of the issues that have been raised in connection with world golf rankings, and that is pathways for players to come and go on the LIV Tour as well as the team aspect of the LIV Golf, certainly creates some concern in that regard," he told reporters.