Golfers Secure Masters Berths with Impressive Performances at the US Open
Kicking Off the US Open, a Dozen LIV Golfers Battled it Out
In the commencement of the US Open at Oakmont, a dozen players from LIV Golf took their spots. As the midway mark approached, tragedy struck, reduction the count to a mere six. sadly, champions like Bryson DeChambeau, Joaquin Niemann, and Dustin Johnson weren't able to make the cut.
Even though none of the surviving six managed to replicate DeChambeau's triumph, several showcased tenacity in the harsh conditions, with Torque GC's Carlos Ortiz and Legion XIII player Tyrrell Hatton ranking among the most impressive.
Ultimately, it was PGA Tour star JJ Spaun who claimed the victory, sinking a marvelous 64-foot putt to thwart runners-up such as Robert MacIntyre from achieving a playoff. Yet, the LIV Golf duo kept the game close until late Sunday, ultimately finishing tied for fourth place, four strokes behind Spaun.
The shared fourth-place finish was not without its rewards. Each player pocketed $876,869 in prizes, and more importantly, they secured spots for the next year's Masters. Exemptions to Augusta National's Major are granted to anyone who places in the top four and ties.
Interestingly, the pair's top-4 finish at the event wasn't the primary route to qualifying for Ortiz. Ranked 113, he risked missing out on the four Major tournaments, including the US Open, in the same year, after failing to pass Final Qualifying previously. The Mexican star's hard work at Oakmont proved worthwhile, not just for the win, but also for securing his spot in next year's tournament at Shinnecock Hills. This is because the top 10 and ties all qualify, ensuring Hatton, who was tied for fourth as well, will also compete next year.
Regarding Hatton's qualification, securing a spot in the Masters wasn't as much of a concern since he was ranked 18 in the world, providing a strong possibility of ending the year within the top 50, qualifying through that route. Nevertheless, even after Ortiz's impressive performance, Hatton's ranking dropped to 113, suggesting he'd have needed to work hard to secure his place.
It's worth noting that despite challenges from LIV Golfers, qualification to the Masters remains a marked process. Specifically, there has been no direct qualification path established for LIV Golfers to The Masters. However, players continue to find ways to compete in major tournaments, the success of Carlos Ortiz and Tyrrell Hatton being a shining example.
If you're a golf enthusiast or simply a fan of sports drama, keep an eye on both players this summer. They're set to take part in July's Open at Royal Portrush, with Ortiz achieving qualification via the Open Qualifying Series following his victory at the International Series Macau in March, and Hatton making the cut as one of the top 25 in the 2024 Race to Dubai rankings.
Stay Ahead of the Game with Golf Monthly's Newsletter
Stay in the loop with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads, and buyer's guides from our exceptional team of experts. Subscribe now to refine your game and be the first to hear about major events and product launches in the world of golf.
[1] Modern Golf Intelligence[5] The Masters Official Website
Despite their participation in the LIV Golf league, both Tyrrell Hatton and Carlos Ortiz managed to secure spots for the upcoming Masters Tournament at Augusta National.
Interestingly, while Hatton qualified due to his world ranking, Ortiz had to work harder, achieving the qualification through his victory at the Royal Portrush Open in July.
