LIV Golf Players Face Early Setback at Masters as Rahm and DeChambeau Falter
In a challenging opening round at the Masters, no LIV Golf player managed to break par, with high-profile stars Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau particularly struggling on a bruising Thursday at Augusta National. The tough conditions on firm and fast surfaces tested the field, leaving the breakaway Saudi-backed series with a disappointing start to the tournament.
Sergio Garcia Emerges as Top LIV Finisher Amid Difficult Conditions
Veteran Sergio Garcia was the standout performer among LIV Golf participants, finishing level par after a round of 72. His steady play on the opening day made him the best finisher from the breakaway series, as he navigated the demanding course setup with relative composure. However, other LIV players found the going much tougher.
Jon Rahm, the 2023 champion and current leader in the LIV rankings this season, had a particularly rough day, shooting a six-over 78. After his round, Rahm expressed frustration, stating, "It's a hard golf course. Some of the players might have been able to manage a respectable round, but when you have no feel with the swing whatsoever, it's just not an easy one." His struggles left him 11 shots behind the first-round co-leaders, Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns.
Bryson DeChambeau's Iron Play Falls Short in Opening Round
Bryson DeChambeau, known for his big-hitting style, also faced difficulties, carding a four-over 76. His iron play was notably short of the precision required at Augusta National, contributing to his disappointing score. Both Rahm and DeChambeau had been fancied by many to contend after showing encouraging form on the LIV Golf circuit this year, but they now find themselves battling to even make the cut as the tournament progresses.
With a dry, hot, and windy weekend forecast, course conditions are likely to only get tougher over the next few days, adding to the pressure on the struggling LIV players. Among other LIV participants in the field, Dustin Johnson finished at one-over, Cam Smith at two-over, and two-time winner Bubba Watson at four-over. Notably, Phil Mickelson was absent from the tournament as he attends to a family health matter.
Patrick Reed Shines After Departing LIV Golf
In contrast, a better first day was had by Patrick Reed, who left LIV Golf at the start of 2026 and has since won twice on the DP World Tour. Reed sits just two shots back from the co-leaders and is firmly in contention after an encouraging opening round. He started with a birdie-eagle and led the tournament at five under when he reached the turn.
Reflecting on his performance, Reed said, "This is one of those places that the more you think about it, the more you think ahead, the more it bites you. When I won in 2018 it was the first year I actually fully bought into just taking it day by day and shot by shot. I think that's what my recipe is because when you get to the first major you're always going to put too much pressure on yourself, you're always going to grind a little harder. Golf is one of those games if you start trying to force things, you actually get worse. So if you win more battles than lose, you have a good opportunity at the end."
As the Masters continues, all eyes will be on whether the LIV Golf players can recover from their early setbacks and make a move up the leaderboard in the coming rounds.
