There are more ways to win a Master invitation now. You just have to win the right match.
Augusta National and R&A issued a joint statement on Tuesday to further align the various means of eligibility for competitors to win their respective major titles. For example, today, winners like the Spanish Open and Australian Open will now automatically qualify for the second year.
The decision was made with R&A as it mimics R&A’s commitment to award public venues through the Open in the Global Qualifying Tournament. Twenty-four players at Royal Porthush last month qualified by outstanding performances such as the New Zealand Open or the International Series or the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Essentially, it occupies the existing structure of professional golf courses around the world and relies less on the old standards during the period when the official world golf rankings were used.
The Master will now grant invitations to players who were previously not eligible to win the following matches:
Scottish Open – Chris Gotterup
Spain opens – held from October 9th to 12th
Japan Open – Hold. October 16-19
Open to Hong Kong – Holding on October 30. 2
Australian Open – held from December 4th to 7th
South Africa Open – held from February 26 to March 1
“The Masters Championship has long recognized the importance of having international representation among its invitees,” Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley said in a press release. “We share a shared commitment to global competition with the R&A and are proud to work together. Today’s announcement enhances our organization’s collective vision to reward top talent from around the world who become historic national open champions. We hope that this formal recognition will have a bright revelation for these players and those they will start in the next year and for them to enjoy in the Open.”
The last sentence should be true. About 90-99 players receive invitations to masters every year, many of whom participate in the PGA Tour players. However, Augusta National has long been committed to inviting international players, especially those who may not be on the PGA Tour often. The two governing bodies have been inviting international amateur championships for years, paving the way for more players from Asia and South America to compete in the world’s largest golf tournament.
However, these moves did lead to the contraction of the alley through the PGA Tour. The winner of the Tour Fall Event will no longer receive an automatic invitation from subsequent masters. Just nine months ago, Rafael Campos won the Butterfield Bermuda title and won his first Masters. The same goes for Maverick McNealy, who won RSM Classic’s Maverick McNealy in November, eventually winning the Masters in April. Of course, the road to victory in autumn no longer exists, although victory still helps strengthen players’ world rankings. By the end of 2025, the top 50 players will receive invitations to the 2026 Masters.
If golf fans realize this open commitment to the nation, it’s because it’s publicly recognized by Rory McIlroy and conveniently the dominant Masters champion. McIlroy hopes that modern professional golf will prioritize national opening. He believes that professional games should be even further developed by adding events like the Irish Open, even if it only sometimes brings the world’s best players into some of the most sporting craziest countries.
Although it remains the decision of the PGA Tour executives, the Augusta National decision has struck the golf government on four continents, strengthening the bonds of professional golf around the world.
The move also creates a better path for LIV golfers who have seen their world rankings depreciate without getting points over the past three years. In recent years, many LIV players have participated in the DP World Tour and the Asian Tour. For example, Patrick Reed won the Hong Kong Open last fall. Ben Campbell, a member of Bubba Watson’s Range Goats team, is the second new qualification position.
