Amid $3,000,000,000 Turbulence, LIV Golfers Yet Again Prove Their Dominance With Latest 2023 U.S Open Performances

Published 06/17/2023, 11:11 AM EDT

When LIV Golf was launched in 2022, the majority of people in the golf fraternity were somewhat against the league, which was pretty evident on numerous occasions. Despite all the hate and the PGA Tour ban, LIV Golf and LIV golfers have been emerging brightly in the golf world. One of the biggest wins for the Saudi League during its inaugural season was the green light for the LIV players to compete in the major tournaments if they were able to qualify. The second-most crucial win for the Saudi League was its merger worth $3 billion with its former rival tour, the PGA Tour.

Many had their share of doubts about the LIV players competing in the major tournaments as they became used to playing 54-hole and 3-day events as opposed to the traditional 4-day and 72-hole events. It seems decorated LIV players, however, are on a mission to prove everyone wrong.

LIV golfers dominate at the 123rd US Open with their stellar performance

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Just a fortnight ago, the PGA Tour announced that it was merging with the Saudi League and that it would be sponsored by the Saudi PIF. The minute details of the contract were not disclosed, as it is still not finalized. The decision to merge was not well received by a lot of fans and PGA Tour pros, and they were disappointed.

Despite many fingers being raised at the Saudi-funded league before and after the merger, players who are competing in the league have been unbothered and have continued to display their exceptional golfing skills. A total of 15 LIV players qualified for the 123rd US Open, and out of the 15, 10 have made the cut.

Golf Monthly shared the list of LIV golfers who made the cut: Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau, E. Joaquin Niemann, Brooks Koepka, Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed, Abraham Ancer, Sebastian Munoz, and David Puig.

It is indeed encouraging to witness that despite all the hustle and bustle around the league, the golfers are still rising above the ashes and letting their game speak. This is not the first time that a good number of LIV players have made the cut at major tournaments.

How have LIV players marked their presence at major tournaments?

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The LIV golfers have been shining brightly in the major tournaments of the season. At Augusta, 12 LIV golfers made the cut, and Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson tied in the second position at Augusta. The 2023 Masters was the first major that they played after deferring to the Saudi League. Although they did not emerge victorious, they sure gathered a lot of love and support for their exceptional skills. In 2023, Mickelson became the oldest player in the history of the Masters tournament to finish as the runner-up.

Out of the 16 LIV defectors, 11 made the cut at Oakhill in New York. Not only at the Masters but at the second major tournament, the PGA Championship, it was a LIV Golf player, Brooks Koepka, who lifted the Wanamaker trophy and took the golf world by surprise. He became the first Saudi League player to win a major championship.

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What do you think about a Saudi League player winning a major tournament again? If yes, who do you think will win? Tell us your pick below in the comments.

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Written by:

Riya Singhal is a promising golf writer at EssentiallySports. She was recently recruited in the latest round of ‘ES Draft’ as one of the young writers with a strong passion for golf writing. Despite being in her early days, Riya has already showcased exceptional talent in her coverage of the sport, with her article on Brooks Koepka's kind gesture towards a young fan after his Masters loss quickly rising to the top of the charts.

Edited by:

Jayant Chhabra

Amid $3,000,000,000 Turbulence, LIV Golfers Yet Again Prove Their Dominance With Latest 2023 U.S Open Performances

LIV golfers dominate at the 123rd US Open with their stellar performance

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How have LIV players marked their presence at major tournaments?