🏌🏻 LIV Shrinking Masters

Good morning. The Masters 2024 is already making news even before 2023 draws to an end, with its field shrinking for the first time in decades and LIV Golfers not being able to play, plus who’s scored the most hole-in-ones ever.

This and much more, in today’s edition of Golf Reporter.

So, grab your morning brew, and let's tee off into today's golf news and tips!

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⛳ This day in history: Condors are rare in golf, but we do get to witness a few by exceptional players every now and then. The most recent recorded condor was achieved on December 20, 2020 by Kevin Pon at Lake Chabot Golf Course in Oakland, CA on the 667 yard par-6 18th hole. This is the only recorded condor to have happened on a par-6.

ALBATROS
Masters Is Shrinking

• The 2024 Masters could have fewer than 80 competitors for the first time since 1985.

• The dip comes as the impact of players joining LIV Golf is felt more broadly, with drops in the world rankings threatening their eligibility.

The Masters is the most prestigious golf tournament in the world, but even Augusta National isn’t immune to the disruption caused by LIV Golf.

Heading into the new year, just 77 players are set to qualify for the 2024 Masters once the final world rankings for 2023 are official. Since 2000, the Masters field has ranged from 87 to 99 players.

A 78th player will qualify for Augusta at the Latin America Amateur Championship, but no further spots are guaranteed. Now, the only other way to qualify is by winning one of the 14 PGA Tour events before the Masters, or entering the top 50 in the world rankings the week prior to the tournament.

The last time the Masters had fewer than 80 participants was in 1985, when the field size dipped to 77.

TWEET
Worth Mentioning

EAGLE
Ian Poulter To Miss Masters Due To Controversial Decision

The likes of Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and LIV Golf champion Talor Gooch are all set to miss next year's Masters, with Augusta National set to welcome one of its smallest fields for some time.

The reduced field comes after it was confirmed bosses at the opening major championship of the year would not be altering their qualifying criteria to allow more LIV stars to compete.

There had been calls for golf's four majors to introduce some sort of exemption list for LIV's best performers who had not already qualified via other pathways.

Sadly for Poulter and co, Masters chief Fred Ridley claimed that there would be no change to qualification for 2024, but did hint there could be some alterations in the future.

LOCKER ROOM
What else is making news

Angel Cabrera reinstated on all PGA Tours after serving two-year prison sentence for gender violence.

Rory McIlroy skipped the ceremony for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award; Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood attended on his behalf.

Tiger Woods dresses up as Santa Claus in TaylorMade's Star-Studded Christmas Commercial. Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Nelly Korda - dressed as Elves.

JU graduate Raul Pereda rallies at the Valley to earn PGA Tour card. Pereda chips in twice after early disaster to become latest Mexico native to become a PGA Tour member.

USGA heading back to Maryland in a big way, announces five new championships, three for Woodmont Country Club and two more for Columbia Country Club.

Cognizant named title sponsor of South Florida PGA Tour event. The six-year deal begins in 2024 and the Cognizant Classic will be played Feb. 29 — March 3 at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. American Honda ended its sponsorship this year after 42 years.

BIRDIE
Which Golfers Have Had The Most Hole-In-Ones?

Years ago the answer given was normally Norman Manley and 59 holes in one. However, for a hole in one to count it has to be witnessed and be part of an actual round of golf.

So now, it is “generally accepted” that the most holes in one is 51 by Mancil Davis. Mancil Davis made many of his holes in one as a child. He had 20 aces by his 20th birthday.

The PGA Tour only started recording holes in one specifically in 1983. So no-one can be totally certain who has made the most holes in one on the PGA Tour either. But the most recorded hole in ones are 10, by Robert Allenby and Hal Sutton.

The figure for the European Tour is also 10, achieved by a 51-year-old Miguel Angel Jimenez at BMW PGA Championship in 2015 when he surpassed Colin Montgomerie’s 9. But the most holes in one on mainstream tour is 11, by Kathy Whitworth, who holds the LPGA record.

DRIVING RANGE
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