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6 LIV Golf stars get huge rankings boost despite nightmare Masters showing

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Bryson DeChambeau impressed at Augusta (Image: Getty Images)
Bryson DeChambeau impressed at Augusta (Image: Getty Images)

A group of LIV Golf stars finally saw their names move in the right direction on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) after making the cut at last week's Masters.

LIV's world ranking issue has been well-documented, with their 54-hole tournaments continuing to go ahead without OWGR points on offer. This has unsurprisingly seen its players slip down the rankings, but 13 were given the chance to make a move back up the list after competing at the Masters.

In total five players from the breakaway circuit missed the 36-hole cut, ensuring they were unable to gain OWGR points, whilst Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm were unable to make any ground despite making it through to the weekend.

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Six stars however ensured their world ranking is trending upwards, with Bryson DeChambeau the biggest mover after his tied-sixth finish. As well as the Crushers GC captain, here is a look at who else managed to bank some much-needed ranking points in Georgia.

Bryson DeChambeau (210th to 110th)

As mentioned, the biggest LIV jumper in the list was former world No. 4 DeChambeau, on the back of a career-best showing at the Masters. The American led the way after 18 holes at Augusta, before sharing his lead with Scottie Scheffler and Max Homa at the halfway point.

It was not to be over the weekend though, as DeChambeau failed to keep up with world No. 1 Scheffler, eventually finishing nine shots behind the champion. His top-six finish saw DeChambeau climb a whopping 100 places in the OWGR list from 210th to 110th.

Cam Smith (68th to 52nd)

Joining DeChambeau in the tied-sixth spot was Ripper GC skipper Cam Smith. The Australian star knows exactly what it takes to get over the line on the major stage, winning the 2022 Open Championship just weeks before his LIV defection. This time around Smith was unable to get hold of the coveted green jacket but made a good account of himself around a course where he has an impressive record.

Despite never really battling his way into contention, a finishing one-under-par 71 in last Sunday's final round at Augusta saw him move inside the top-10 for the fourth time in five years. This saw the former Champion Golfer of The Year move 16 places from 68th to 52nd.

6 LIV Golf stars get huge rankings boost despite nightmare Masters showingCam Smith finished tied-sixth at Augusta (Getty Images)

Tyrrell Hatton (19th to 16th)

Next on the list is Tyrrell Hatton, who managed to cling onto his spot inside the world's top-20 with an impressive performance at Augusta. The Englishman is one of LIV's newest recruits, and made the most of a rare OWGR-sanctioned event by finishing in a tie for ninth to move from 19th in the world to 16th.

For Hatton the finish was more important than most, with the Legion XIII star banking himself a spot at the 2025 Masters regardless of his ranking in 12 months' time after ending the week inside the top-12 on the leaderboard.

Patrick Reed (112th to 85th)

Patrick Reed has no need to worry about his future exemption at the event after winning the green jacket in 2018, but he will no doubt be keen to make up as much ground as he can in the world rankings after losing his playing rights at the other three major championships.

Whilst he failed to replicate his heroics from six years earlier, Reed managed to make a good account of himself at Augusta, after a level-par 72 in the final round saw the 4Aces star finish tied-12th. This saw him climb back into the world's top 100, into 85th.

Joaquin Niemann (93rd to 82nd)

One man who has ventured away from the LIV circuit in search of world ranking points in recent months is the breakaway league's Order of Merit leader Joaquin Niemann. The Chilean fell short in his quest to break into the world's top-50 to book a Masters place earlier this year, but his efforts across a number of tours were rewarded with a special invite to compete from Augusta National.

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Having accepted, Niemann finished the week in a tie for 22nd at four-over-par, which saw him climb 11 places in the rankings from 93rd to 82nd.

Phil Mickelson (166th to 151st)

One of Augusta's most consistent performers in Phil Mickelson was also in action last week, and whilst he was unable to back up his tied-second finish at the 2023 event, he still ensured he made a rare jump up the world rankings. The three-time green jacket winner ended the week in a tied for 43rd after finishing at eight-over through

Joshua Lees

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