The Masters 2024: Australia’s premier golf tournament the Australian Open could be pivotal in the war between LIV and PGA

In a by-gone era the Australian Open was commonly referred to as ‘the fifth major’. And it was suggested on day one of the Masters that it could again be play a major role in world golf.

Australia’s showpiece golf tournaments have emerged as circuit breakers to the game’s global civil war.

Former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believes winners of renowned national championships including the Australian Open should be granted entry to the majors as a pathway for LIV players unable to accrue world ranking points.

“Why not make the winner of the Australian Open exempt to all four majors? Not just the Masters,” McGinley said.

“You talk about growing the game that would bring players, some of the best players in the world, to there (Australia) knowing that a win would get them in all four majors.

“Those kinds of things to me are more transparent.”

Paul McGinley says the Australian Open winner should qualify for all four majors. Picture: Phil Inglis/Getty Images

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley this week revealed Australian Open champion and LIV defector Joaquin Niemann had been invited to the Masters as a result of his strong showing in Australia last summer.

“We felt that Joaquin had not only a great record coming up to this year but, after his season, he went to Australia, played very well there, finished fourth in the Australian PGA, won the Australian Open, one of the great, great championships in the world,” Ridley said.

Nieman sits outside the world top 50 and would have missed a spot in the Masters field without a special invite.

Joaquin Niemann with the 2023 Australian Open trophy. Picture: Andy Cheung/Getty Images

Golf legends Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson won 14 Australian Open titles between them in the event’s glory days.

Incoming PGA of Australia chairman Ian Baker-Finch said some of the world’s top players were still keen on playing in Australia.

“If the event is really good, they will come,” Baker-Finch said.

“Rory McIlroy has said to me, ‘Hey Finchy, you make sure you tell me when we’re going to Kingston Heath, I’ll come down and play’.

“If you look at the players’ guides, a lot of them will say their favourite course in the world is Royal Melbourne or Kingston Heath or somewhere in the sandbelt .. Peninsula Kingswood is great.”

Baker-Finch said he doubted the rebel LIV tour would survive persisting with its current 54-hole, shotgun-start format.

“I’ll give you one thing - I doubt very much that LIV as it is, survives long-term … And don’t give me ‘grow the game’, that’s not what they are doing at all,” he said.

“It’s growing their bank accounts”

Originally published as The Masters 2024: Australia’s premier golf tournament the Australian Open could be pivotal in the war between LIV and PGA