LIV Golfers Pose a Major Threat to McIlroy’s Masters Bid
As Rory McIlroy prepares for yet another shot at completing the career Grand Slam, the list of contenders at Augusta National looks as deep as ever. While Scottie Scheffler remains the favorite to win a third Masters title in four years, there’s a real possibility that a LIV Golf star could steal the show.
With 12 players from the Saudi-backed breakaway tour set to tee it up at Augusta, the narrative surrounding LIV’s competitiveness in major championships will be tested once again. Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Joaquin Niemann, Tyrrell Hatton, and Cameron Smith all have the pedigree to challenge, and McIlroy will be well aware of the threat they pose.
So, as the first major of 2025 approaches, the question looms: will McIlroy finally join Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, and Gene Sarazen in golf’s most exclusive club, or will the LIV dozen throw a wrench in his plans?
McIlroy’s Augusta Preparations Looking Strong
McIlroy’s recent form suggests he is peaking at the right time. He may not have won last week in Houston, but back-to-back weekend 64s to finish fifth will have boosted his confidence heading into Augusta.
The Northern Irishman has already notched up two PGA Tour victories in 2025—at Pebble Beach and The Players Championship—proving that his game is in solid shape. His putting looks sharper, his ball striking remains elite, and his mental approach appears more focused than in previous years.
But as always, McIlroy’s biggest challenge at Augusta may be Augusta itself. The Masters has teased him for years, with close calls in 2018, 2022, and 2023, but he is still waiting for that elusive Green Jacket. If he wants to finally conquer the course, he will have to outplay an elite field—including the best that LIV Golf has to offer.
Can LIV Golfers Prove They Still Belong in Major Contention?
One of the biggest debates in men’s professional golf is whether LIV Golf’s format—with its 54-hole events, shotgun starts, and no cuts—is hurting its players’ chances in majors. Rahm, DeChambeau, and Koepka will be eager to prove that competing in LIV doesn’t mean they can’t still dominate on golf’s biggest stage.
Rahm, the reigning Masters champion, has looked solid but not spectacular in 2025. The Spaniard, who finished runner-up in Riyadh and has been a top-six finisher in every LIV event this season, knows his wedge play must improve if he wants to contend at Augusta.
“I haven’t felt as comfortable as I would like, and it’s shown in my wedge game,” Rahm admitted recently. “If you want to win majors, you need that part of your game dialed in.”
Meanwhile, DeChambeau—the man who denied McIlroy at last year’s U.S. Open—has struggled for consistency this season. His best finish in LIV in 2025 is just one top-10, but if there’s one thing we know about Bryson, it’s that he has the ability to flip the switch when it matters most. His performance at Augusta last year—where he held a share of the halfway lead and finished sixth—proved that his game can work at the Masters.
Koepka’s Major Mindset Could Be Key
If there is one LIV golfer who has proven time and again that regular season form doesn’t matter in majors, it’s Brooks Koepka. The five-time major champion may not have cracked the top 25 in any major last year, but let’s not forget that he led after 54 holes at the 2023 Masters before fading on Sunday.
Koepka’s ability to peak at the right time is legendary, and he’s coming off a runner-up finish in Singapore. If he’s in contention after three rounds at Augusta, don’t expect him to let another opportunity slip away.
Niemann – The LIV Player in the Best Form?
According to Phil Mickelson, there’s no hotter golfer in the world right now than Joaquin Niemann.
The 26-year-old Chilean has been unstoppable on the LIV circuit, winning events in Singapore, Adelaide, and the Saudi International. He’s also put together strong performances on the Asian Tour, finishing third in India earlier this year.
The only question surrounding Niemann is whether he can replicate that dominance in a major championship. His best result in a major is 16th at the 2023 Masters, but with the way he’s playing, that feels like an anomaly. If he carries his winning form into Augusta, he could be a legitimate threat to the likes of McIlroy and Scheffler.
Hatton’s Green Jacket Hopes and the Dubai Desert Classic Curse
Tyrrell Hatton is a bit of an enigma. The Englishman has won big tournaments, including this year’s Dubai Desert Classic, but he has struggled with consistency in recent months.
However, there is an interesting trend to consider. In the last decade, two Dubai Desert Classic winners—Danny Willett (2016) and Sergio Garcia (2017)—went on to win the Masters later that year.
Could Hatton be next? If he can control his emotions and rediscover the form that won him a title in January, he could be a dark horse at Augusta.
Why LIV’s Tournament at Doral Matters
This week’s LIV Golf event at Doral will be a crucial warm-up for Augusta. Donald Trump’s Miami course is one of the toughest on the LIV schedule, and it will provide a true test for Rahm, Koepka, DeChambeau, Niemann, Hatton, and the rest of the LIV field.
A strong performance at Doral could give LIV’s top stars the confidence they need heading into the Masters. Conversely, a poor showing could raise more doubts about whether the LIV format is hurting players’ competitiveness in majors.
Final Thoughts – Can McIlroy Hold Off the LIV Challenge?
As Rory McIlroy fine-tunes his game for Augusta, he knows that a LIV golfer could stand in his way. Whether it’s Rahm defending his title, Koepka rediscovering his major magic, DeChambeau overpowering Augusta, or Niemann proving Mickelson right, the breakaway tour’s presence at The Masters cannot be ignored.
For McIlroy, the stakes couldn’t be higher. He’s playing some of his best golf in years, but he still needs to prove he can put together four perfect rounds at Augusta.
If he does, he’ll finally get to slip on the Green Jacket and complete the career Grand Slam. If not, don’t be surprised if one of LIV’s best steps up to take his place.
One thing is certain—Augusta 2025 is shaping up to be a Masters to remember.
