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SPORTS Wednesday 12 april 2023
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PGA and LIV produced a Masters just like any other

By DOUG FERGUSON tournament qualifications
AP Golf Writer for next year and it includes
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — The the top 50 from the world
Masters had eight major ranking (at the end of the
champions finish among year and a week before
the top 10 and ties, and the Masters). Augusta Na-
where they made a living tional has a seat at the
became a mere footnote OWGR table.
when Jon Rahm slipped Of the 18 players from LIV
into the green jacket. Golf at the Masters this
For the most part, it was a year, as many as eight are
Masters just like any other. unlikely to be return next
That includes the final hour. year, maybe ever.
As much drama as Augus- “I took my parents here be-
ta National can create, this cause it could be my last
was the fourth straight year one,” said Thomas Pieters
the winner had at least of Belgium, who decided
a four-shot lead with four to join LIV Golf in February.
holes to play. “That’s just being realistic.
This wasn’t the first major I don’t know. Time will tell.
with both PGA Tour and LIV We’ll see.”
Golf players. What caused Pieters later told The Daily
so much anticipation was Telegraph: “Hopefully this
the Masters being the first Scottie Scheffler sits with Jon Rahm, of Spain, after Rahm won the Masters golf tournament at week was an eye-opener
major since the two tours Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday, April 9, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. for everybody that this is
began waging an expen- Associated Press good for golf. There were
sive battle in federal court. in 1996 when Tiger Woods get world ranking points at the PGA of America offers three LIV players in the top
And so the Masters be- was still an amateur. Mick- the moment and the Of- invitations. Hardly anyone four here, but there are
came the first look at how elson is ageless. ficial World Golf Ranking will notice their absence. only three LIV players in the
the two sides would get Patrick Reed tied for fourth, board doesn’t seem to be Kerry Haigh, the chief world’s top 35. How does
along (fine), and how LIV one of only two players at in a big rush and players championships officer, said that work? Look, you want
Golf players would fare par or better all four rounds. will keep sliding into obliv- the PGA of America would to play against the best in
over 72 holes against a full “We’re still the same peo- ion. Koepka was No. 118 look at other tours, money the world but when the sys-
field (even better). ple,” Koepka said. “I think in the world going into the lists and rankings, just like tem’s rigged or you don’t
Brooks Koepka led from the that’s just manufactured Masters. No one bought always. And he said “ab- get the best, the product’s
second hole Friday morn- by the media that we can’t that. His runner-up finish solutely” the organization not going to be as good.”
ing until the sixth hole Sun- compete anymore, that moved him to No. 39. No would consider players Except for the world rank-
day afternoon until he suf- we are washed up.” one is buying that, either. from LIV Golf. ing, the only path back to
fered through an inglorious Clearly not. And now at- Nine players from LIV Golf The PGA Championship is Augusta National for LIV
22-hole stretch without a tentions shift to the PGA currently are eligible for the final week before the players is to finish among
birdie, and Rahm shot 69 to Championship five weeks Oak Hill in Rochester, New U.S. Open exempts the the top four in the other
win by four. away. The question is not York, through PGA Champi- top 60 players and the Brit- three majors.
Koepka tied for second how they will perform but onship criteria. Eight others ish Open exempts the top For the other three majors,
with Phil Mickelson, who who even gets a chance. currently are in the top 100 50 from having to qualify. they would have to finish in

amazed yet again with The PGA Championship has at least for now. Among Reed did himself a world the top 10 (top 15 for the
birdies on his last two holes long billed itself as having those on the bubble are of good at Augusta. He PGA Championship) to get
for a 65. It matched his low- the strongest field in golf, Cameron Tringale (90) and moved up to No. 45 from back the next year (except
est score at Augusta Na- which it bases on the world Jason Kokrak (93), who are No. 70. The Masters, mean- for qualifying for the two
tional, the other occasion ranking. LIV Golf doesn’t likely to fall out by the time while, already released its Opens). q

DeMarcus Cousins joins Guaynabo Mets in Puerto Rican league

SAN JUAN (AP) — Former “DeMarcus is one of the ins also had stints with the
NBA All-Star center De- best basketball players of Sacramento Kings, New
Marcus Cousins joined the his generation, and from Orleans Pelicans, Golden
Guaynabo Mets of Puerto a talent standpoint, he will State Warriors, Los Angeles
Rico’s professional basket- be one of the best to ever Lakers, Houston Rockets
ball league on Tuesday. play” in the Puerto Rican and Los Angeles Clippers.
The Guaynabo Mets said league, Mets co-owner Cousins, who played col-
in a statement that the Marc Grossman said. “His lege basketball at Ken-
32-year-old free agent ability to shoot and stretch tucky, averaged 19.6
Cousins “still has what it the floor should be a great points and 10.2 rebounds
takes to play in the NBA”, fit.” per game during his NBA
but “is taking his talents to Cousins was the fifth overall career.
basketball-crazy Puerto pick in the 2010 NBA draft. Puerto Rico’s league,
Rico.” He most recently played named Baloncesto Supe-
Details on the contract for the Denver Nuggets rior Nacional, has brought Denver Nuggets center DeMarcus Cousins (4)in the first half of
weren’t immediately avail- and Milwaukee Bucks in several former NBA players an NBA basketball game, April 7, 2022, in Denver.
able. the 2021-22 season. Cous- in recent years.q Associated Press