Contrary to recent statements by Jon Rahm who fears a tense atmosphere at the next Masters Champions dinner with the presence of many exiled players at LIV Golf, José Maria Olazabal wants to be reassuring. Everything will be fine between those who responded to the Saudi sirens and the others, Tiger Woods in the lead.
Masters Champions dinner, tense atmosphere
Present this week in Abu Dhabi for the Hero Cup in order to “support” as a “consultant” the Englishman Luke Donald, the captain of the European Ryder Cup team, José Maria Olazabal, himself a victorious captain with the Europe in 2012 in Medinah (Illinois), wanted to defuse the little “bomb” launched by his compatriot, Jon Rahm, ahead of the Sentry Tournament of Champions (PGA Tour).
The latter had indeed suggested that the atmosphere at the next dinner of the Masters Champions would be tense between certain former winners who had left for the very lucrative LIV Golf * and the others, who had remained faithful to the PGA Tour in particular… “The Augusta National allowed LIV players who won the Masters to compete this year, and I have no problem with that,” the Basque told our colleague Bernie McGuire (golfbytourmiss.com).
I respect this decision. There will be no animosity at the (Champions) dinner. And certainly not from me. » “And if Bubba Watson (winner in 2012 and 2014) asks me to pass him the salt or anything else, I will be happy to do it, he continues.
Every one of us who sits down at the former champions dinner is there because we won the Masters. And for that alone, he has all my respect. Everyone who will be there (next April) will have the right to be at dinner…” At almost 57 years old, José Maria Olazabal will participate in his 34th Masters (April 6-9, 2023), and his 25th “Champions” dinner since his first victory in 1994 (also winner in 1999). * Phil Mickelson, Charl Schwartzel, Bubba Watson, Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed and Dustin Johnson.
