Augusta National, home to The Masters, and The R&A have announced, jointly, plans to align aspects of the qualification criteria for the Masters Tournament and The Open.
Specifically, invitations (one year exemptions) will be awarded to winners, or top finishers, of select national opens, with the qualifying criteria beginning immediately.
The specific home opens are:
- Current Scottish Open Champion
- Current Spanish Open Champion
- Current Japan Open Champion
- Current Hong Kong Open Champion
- Current Australian Open Champion
- Current South African Open Champion
By introducing the new initiative, it means that more pathways are open for those participating internationally, with both organizations continuing to recognize the global strength of professional golf.
Speaking about the joint announcement, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and The Masters, Fred Ridley, stated: “The Masters Tournament has long recognized the significance of having international representation among its invitees.
“We, along with The R&A, have a shared commitment to the global game and are proud to work together. Today’s announcement strengthens our organisations’ collective vision of rewarding top talent around the world who rise to the top of historic national open championships.
“We hope this formal recognition shines a bright light on these players and the events they will represent at the Masters and The Open, beginning next year.”
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The announcement appears to signal that The Masters has moved away from inviting winners of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Fall series, a seven-event run that follows on from the regular PGA Tour season.
In point 17 of The Masters’ qualifying criteria, it now reads: “Individual winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation applied to the season-ending Tour Championship.”
Now being replaced by six national opens, it’s not just The Masters where players will have a chance to qualify, with The R&A also revealing that players looking to qualify for The Open Championship will have the chance through 15 events in 13 countries.
The Open Qualifying Series has been in operation since 2013 and offers players entry into The Open through numerous Tour events across the world, with the full schedule for The 2025 Open…
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