Dustin Johnson John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

How will LIV Golf members look at the Masters?

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated Mar 28, 2023 10:50 AM ET

It's no secret that one of the biggest things golf fans will watch for at the Masters — other than how Tiger Woods plays — will be how LIV Golf stalwarts Dustin Johnson and Cam Smith perform.

The two are viewed as the LIV golfers to beat ahead of the upcoming major in Georgia given that Johnson won the Masters in 2020 and Smith was the player to beat last season before defecting to LIV Golf. Since LIV Golf events are fewer and farther between than PGA Tour events, it's also safe to wonder how sharp Johnson and Smith — and all LIV golfers participating — will be at the Masters this time around.

It might not. Guys like DJ and Cam Smith can seemingly fall out of bed and shoot 68s anywhere on the planet ... but it's hard to imagine the dearth of golf won't affect them in some way.
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) March 27, 2023

The Masters will be the first time this year many fans see Johnson or Smith considering very few are apparently watching LIV Golf on the CW. However, the two LIV Golf events that have taken place probably wouldn't give too much insight anyways since LIV Golf events are team-based and played over three rounds instead of four. Add to it that LIV Golf features fewer events on its calendar, and it's fair to wonder if even big-name players like Johnson and Smith will be rusty at Augusta National.

Suffice it to say that any LIV golfer playing well at the Masters could help LIV Golf's case for being recognized as a legitimate league. LIV Golf players still don't qualify for the official world golf ranking system because the rogue circuit isn't considered competitive enough. If LIV golfers perform well at the Masters — especially any of the big-name ones — it could help their case for qualifying for points.

BetMGM currently lists Smith as the only LIV golfer with odds better than 20-1 for the Masters, although he's still listed at 16-1, and his odds have gotten longer since LIV Golf's season opened. Johnson is listed at 22-1 odds, and there are 11 PGA golfers between him and fellow LIV golfer Brooks Koepka, who is listed at 40-1 odds to win the Masters.

The Masters tees off Thursday, April 6, from Augusta National Golf Course. Tee times have not yet been announced.

More must-reads: