Renowned golf coach on LIV/Masters theory: "To say that is just wrong"

Renowned golf coach Butch Harmon has implored the LIV Golf League to move to a 72-hole format as he gave his verdict on how the breakaway tour players will fare at the 2024 Masters. 

Harmon spoke to GolfMagic before the first major of the year at Augusta National. 

The 80-year-old instructor, unsurprisingly, had quite a lot to say. 

Harmon revealed why he wanted Tiger Woods to miss the 2023 Masters cut.

He also said he consulted Rory McIlroy's long-time swing coach Michael Bannon before giving the Northern Irishman a recent, four-hour lesson. 

Related:

• Which LIV Golf players have qualified for The Masters?

Tiger Woods's former coach also lifted the lid on Justin Thomas's split with Jim 'Bones' Mackay and shared the dark horse he is picking to win the green jacket. 

He also offered his verdict on which LIV Golf players he believes will stand out next week. 

And Harmon also believes it's lazy to suggest LIV players aren't well-prepared. 

"If you look at Brooks Koepka last year they're ready to play, they're good players," he said. 

"I think personally I'd like to see them go to 72 holes, expand their fields a bit, I think they'd get world ranking points if they'd do that."

LIV were officially denied in their bid for Official World Golf Ranking accreditation last October. 

In March, LIV withdrew their application after a near two-year fight for points. 

LIV chief executive Greg Norman slammed the governing body for showing 'little willingness to productively work with us'. 

OWGR chairman Peter Dawson has insisted there was never a conspiracy against LIV to deny the league points. 

Harmon continued: "These guys can still play golf. 

"To say they're not going to be competitive is wrong, yes they play 54 holes in a more relaxed atmosphere, but they're still some of the best players in the world. 

"Look at what Joaquin Niemann has done this year, he's been on fire. 

"I think you'll see a few LIV players at Augusta be right there and have a chance to win - Jon Rahm will be one of them, the defending champion."

Which LIV Golf players will be teeing it up at the 2024 Masters?

• Bryson DeChambeau
• Jon Rahm
• Bubba Watson
• Dustin Johnson
• Phil Mickelson
• Brooks Koepka
• Adrian Meronk
• Tyrrell Hatton
• Charl Schwartzel
• Sergio Garcia
• Patrick Reed
• Joaquin Niemann
• Cameron Smith

The Masters will be available on Sky Sports Golf and via a NOW subscription from 11th – 14th April, and you can follow all the latest news on Sky Sports social and digital channels throughout the week.

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