LIV Golf rebel withdraws from Masters after starting first round

06 April 2023 , 14:49

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Kevin Na looks on at Augusta

There is an early casualty in Augusta after Kevin Na withdrew from the Masters on Thursday.

LIV Golf rebel Na scored 40 over nine holes of his first round but tournament officials confirmed he had pulled out due to illness.

Na was in the first group out alongside Mike Weir but suffered a poor start as he double-bogeyed at the first. He appeared to be in discomfort as he made his way around the course, eventually making four-over at the turn.

At the time of his withdrawal, he was last on the scoreboard with Masters officials confirming Weir would finish his round as a single.

Na, who was a five-time winner on the PGA Tour, announced in June last year that he was resigning in order to join LIV Golf, avoiding any possible discipline or legal action.

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The 39-year-old was one of few LIV rebels left in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking at the end of last year, earning him a spot at Augusta for the first major of the year.

But he had seen his position plummet to 96th ahead of the Masters and his early withdrawal means he is likely to fall even further.

Kevin Na appeared in discomfort during his opening round

Na confirmed his decision to join LIV was down to a 'freedom to play wherever I want', adding: "To remain a PGA Tour player, I must give up my right to make these choices about my career.

"If I exercise my right to choose where and when I play golf, then I cannot remain a PGA Tour player without facing disciplinary proceedings and legal action from the PGA Tour. I hope the current policies change and I'll be able to play on the PGA Tour again."

Meanwhile, a number of Na's fellow rebels have been fined £100k after losing their legal battle against the DP World Tour. Players were fined after featuring in LIV events without permission and 16 LIV stars appealed against the decisions and punishments.

However, the appeals were dismissed in court earlier this week with the DP World Tour's ruling upheld in a real blow to Greg Norman's breakaway circuit.

Liam Prenderville