When Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith and at least 14 of their fellow LIV Golf players strut down Magnolia Lane in April, the Masters will gain a compelling subplot to perhaps the most anticipated golf major in the sport’s history.

The concern for Augusta National is just how much the virtues of the game have been “diminished”. They deliberated for so long before opting to hand out invites based on their previous criteria for this exclusive tournament before the sport was shaken by the Saudi billions.

There is much intrigue, excitement and a nervous energy gradually building from as far out as Christmas through to spring, when those melodic sounds and bright colours permeate one of the most distinguishable stages in sport.