Augusta National adds new Masters qualification criteria – but it’s bad news for the PGA Tour

Players will have a brand new route to the Masters, after Augusta National teamed up with The R&A to bolster the field for the opening major of the season.

Augusta National has announced joint plans with The R&A to align aspects of the qualification process for the Masters and The Open.

Twenty-four of the 156 players who teed up at Royal Portrush did so thanks to the Open Qualifying Series, which took place at 11 tournaments in Australia, Canada, China, Italy, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, and the United States.

But while the Masters, which traditionally has a much smaller field of around 90 players, won’t be going quite as far, ANGC will offer six one-year exemptions to the champions of the following golf tournaments:

• Genesis Scottish Open
• Acciona Open de Espana
• Japan Open Golf Championship
• Link Hong Kong Open
• ISPS Handa Australian Open
• Investec South African Open Championship

Chris Gotterup, who had already qualified for next year’s Masters via other routes, was the winner of last month’s Scottish Open, while the other five tournaments will take place between October and December.

But, as is so often the case, something’s got to give. In this case, it’s the PGA Tour’s Fall Series. From now on, the winners of the seven events between September’s Procore Championship to November’s RSM Classic will no longer receive an invite.

“The Masters Tournament has long recognized the significance of having international representation among its invitees,” Fred Ridley, the chairman of Augusta National and the Masters, said. “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 organizations’ 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.”

Mark Darbon, The R&A’s new chief executive, added: “We take great pride in the range of qualification routes we offer to players around the world through the Open Qualifying Series.

“We share the same goal as Augusta National to offer places in both The Open and the Masters to players competing in national opens and by doing so to help to showcase and strengthen our sport in those regions.

“This creates an outstanding opportunity for players in all parts of the world to qualify and we firmly believe this will continue to enrich the quality of the fields in both major championships.”

The Open Qualifying Series for the 154th playing for the Claret Jug will offer places at 15 events in 13 countries. The schedule will be announced in September.

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