Takeaways: Reviewing the 12 LIV Golf players at Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The 2025 Masters was the 11th played since the debut of LIV Golf in the summer of 2022, held one week before the U.S. Open that year. In that span, two active LIV Golf members have won majors – Brooks Koepka at the 2023 PGA Championship, and Bryson DeChambeau at the 2024 U.S. Open.

DeChambeau, the Crushers GC captain, was the top chaser entering Sunday’s final round at Augusta National, just two strokes off the lead held by eventual playoff winner Rory McIlroy. 4Aces GC Patrick Reed emerged as the top finisher, a solo third, his best major result since winning the Masters in 2018. DeChambeau tied for fifth.

Five LIV Golf players of the 12 who competed last week finished inside the top 15 of the leaderboard. That’s the most in any of those 11 majors.

Here’s a quick takeaway for each player (listed in order of finish)

PATRICK REED (3): Tee-to-green, he was terrific. Alas, his putter never showed up. That’s disappointing because it might have cost him a second Masters win. But it’s also encouraging in that he knows the issue and is confident he can fix it. Caddie Kessler Karain told him late in Sunday’s round that Reed is destined to win another green jacket, and the fact that Reed was one of just two players to shoot every round under par last week is worth something. “The game is where it needs to be,” he said. The immediate benefit is that his solo third will likely earn him entry into the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open (he already has an exemption into the Open Championship). Huge for a player in such good form.

BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU (T5): Yes, disappointing on the surface. If he shoots 70, he wins outright. If he shoots 71, he’s in a playoff. Fought his irons for most of the week, and it proved costly. Says he’s working on new LA Golf irons that could solve his problems. “Hopefully will optimize my game to an even greater level,” he said. “Super excited about it, actually.” He’s finished T6 and T5 in his last two Masters starts. It’s obvious that he’s learned how to play Augusta National. A green jacket seems like just a matter of time.

BUBBA WATSON (T14): Yes, he’s a two-time Masters winner but it’s doubtful anybody expected him to make an impact this week. He’s quietly been playing better this year now that he’s fully removed from his leg surgery. “We’re in a better spot than last year,” he said. Nice to see him finish with a 4-under 68, which tied for third lowest final-round score.

JON RAHM (T14): That opening 75 had the 2023 Masters champ chasing all week, and he did a commendable job clawing back up the leaderboard. Improved on his score each day and ended with a 3-under 69. General golf fans probably won’t be satisfied with that but give Rahm points for grittiness and for fighting back.

TYRRELL HATTON (T14): He openly says it – he can’t figure out Augusta National’s greens. “It doesn’t make sense to me,” he said. “Just hit and hope.” Yet his ball-striking is such is that he can finish inside the top 15 the last two years. The disappointment is that he didn’t finish inside the top 12, which would’ve guaranteed a spot in next year’s Masters. But he’s a top-20 player right now and remains dangerous any time he tees it up.

JOAQUIN NIEMANN (T29): The current individual points leader seemed encouraged with his play, realizing that his putting held him back this week. Given his form this year (two LIV Golf wins), more noise was expected, but he remains a young star with a bright future who fully expects to win a major(s) in his career. Thinks Augusta National is a good course for him but hoping he’ll not have to rely on a special invite to keep showing up each April.

CHARL SCHWARTZEL (T36): The 2011 Masters champ entered feeling good about his game and his chances, and he was steady the last three rounds, shooting even-par 72s each day. “Played great, got nothing out of it,” he said. Should leave Augusta feeling good about his game; he ranks as LIV Golf’s top putter this season.

DUSTIN JOHNSON (MC): Has now missed the cut in four of his last six major starts. For the two-time major winner who seemed to be able to roll out of bed and produce a top-10 major finish, that’s disconcerting. Says he feels like he’s swinging it well, but just not getting the scores. Perhaps a return trip to Oakmont, where he won the U.S. Open in 2016, will provide a spark in June.

SERGIO GARCIA (MC): Entered with high hopes and in good form, but Augusta National has generally not been kind to him, especially since his win in 2017. In his seven starts since that victory, he’s missed the cut six times. So maybe we shouldn’t be too surprised. However …

BROOKS KOEPKA (MC): … This was a surprise. Koepka seemed to be ramping up to the Masters, with a solo second in Singapore a positive sign. That quadruple bogey on his final hole in the second round has to sting, as it cost him making the cut. Hasn’t finished inside the top 10 in a major since winning the 2023 PGA Championship – which will likely result in a more determined effort next month at Quail Hollow.

CAMERON SMITH (MC): Such a good track record at the Masters that his back-nine flameout is completely perplexing. Six dropped shots coming in to miss the cut for the first time in nine Masters starts. Where did that come from? His driver has been an issue for a while, so once he gets that straightened out, he will be fine.

PHIL MICKELSON (MC): Has been playing better this season and came in expecting to make some noise but held to five birdies in the first two rounds. Said he was surprised to miss the cut, and so was everybody else, as he dropped four shots in his last four holes. “I really thought I was going to play well and get right in it,” he said. He’ll be 55 at next year’s Masters. Does he have one more run in him for a fourth green jacket?