How all 18 LIV golfers performed during the Masters opening round

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Anticipation continued to build in February when Augusta National officials announced that LIV golfers who met Masters qualifications would be eligible to play in the 2023 Masters, since the division of the tours started with the first LIV tournament in June 2022.

Many PGA Tour players like Rory McIlroy who had previously criticized the Saudi-funded LIV series eased tension this week by turning the conversation to the history and tradition of the Masters.

“Look, it’s a narrative and a storyline, but the Masters and the four major championships sit above all that noise, and that’s the way it should be this week,” McIlroy said.

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley further explained on Wednesday comments he made in December expressing disappointment in players opting for the LIV series instead of the PGA Tour.

“What I was trying to point out, and I alluded to it in my comments, the platform that these players have built their careers on were based on the blood, sweat and tears of their predecessors, people like Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Tiger Woods,” Ridley said.

“So my comment in December was really more that I was expressing some disappointment that these players were taking the platform that had been given to them — that they rightly had earned success on, by the way — and moving to another opportunity, perhaps not thinking about who might come behind them.”

Here’s how each LIV golfer performed Thursday in the 2023 Masters opening round:

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Brooks Koepka | Tied for the lead, 7-under 65

Brooks Koepka closed out strong to tie Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland for the lead with a 7-under par 65. Koepka made the turn at 4 under and birdied three of the last four holes to finish.

He became the first LIV golfer invited to the interview room during the tournament.

“Love to finish with two birdies like that. Just kind of hopefully ride that into tomorrow,” Koepka said. “You know, putting good, driving it well, just kind of build off all those things, and get myself, you know, in contention with nine to go on Sunday, that’s the whole goal.”

Cameron Smith | 2-under 70

Making his seventh Masters appearance, the 29-year-old Australian has top-10 finishes in four of his past five Masters. His first round included four birdies and two bogeys.

Patrick Reed | 1-under 71

The 2018 Masters champion enters with top-10 finishes in three of his…