by World number one Scottie Scheffler said Wednesday that he hopes some of golf’s biggest legends will put the feud between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to rest at next month’s Masters Champions Dinner.
Scheffler, coming off a win at The Players Championship on Sunday, revealed his menu for this year’s meet after winning the green jacket last year at Augusta National.
The 26-year-old American also said he hasn’t decided what he will say in his speech to previous winners, but will count on them to show their best manners despite a split that has divided golf’s elite talent.
“I haven’t fully decided what I’m going to say,” Scheffler said. “I’m not really sure what the atmosphere will be like, but I think we’re all there to celebrate the Masters.
“I think we’ll put all that other stuff aside and have a good time.”
The Saudi-backed LIV Golf League has opened its second season and players meet this week in Tucson, Arizona, while the Valspar PGA Championship takes place near Tampa, Florida.
With record purses of $25 million and 54-hole events, LIV Golf attracted some of the PGA’s top players last year, resulting in a ban from playing tour events and a court case set to go to trial next year. .
The PGA Tour has made changes to its format and prize money to better compete with LIV’s offerings, but some players continue to hold a grudge against the Rebels.
LIV and PGA players will compete against each other in the four major championships this year, which have not followed the tour by banning LIV talent.
Three-time Masters champion and six-time major winner Phil Mickelson, fellow Americans Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson and Patrick Reed, South African Charl Schwartzel and Spaniard Sergio Garcia are LIV Golf players who have earned green jackets to win a place at the Dinner of Champions.
Mickelson said Wednesday that he has no idea what’s in store for him on his trip down Magnolia Lane for the first major of the year from April 6-9.
“No expectations. We’re grateful to be able to play and compete and be a part of it,” Mickelson said. “Many of the people who are playing and competing in the Masters have been friends for decades and I’m looking forward to seeing them again.”
Scheffler’s menu includes Texas ribeye steak, blackened redfish, tortilla soup, firecracker shrimp, cheeseburgers and a hot chocolate chip skillet cookie with ice cream.
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