Masters updates qualifying criteria to add six national opens
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Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy hits his tee shot on the third hole during the final round of the Masters.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – Augusta National on Aug 26 announced changes to qualifying methods for the Masters, adding the winners of six worldwide national opens while dropping PGA Tour fall tournament winners.
The immediate change follows the style of the Royal & Ancient (R&A) British Open qualifying series, which began in 2013, and gives the Masters its own qualifying series to ensure strong global pathways into the Major from various tours.
Masters invitations will be issued to winners of the Scottish Open, Spanish Open, Japan Open, Hong Kong Open, Australian Open and South African Open.
“The Masters tournament has long recognised the significance of having international representation among its invitees,” Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley 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 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.”
The PGA Tour’s eight events played after the Tour Championship serve as a final opportunity for players to claim playing rights for the next year, but a tweak in qualifying language will mean winners of those events no longer claim berths in the Masters.
Starting later in 2025, players can begin to qualify for the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale at 15 events in 13 nations. Final details about the series will be unveiled in September.
“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,” R&A chief executive Mark Darbon said.
“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.”
A side effect of the Augusta National shift is that players in the LIV Golf league, who otherwise can play in the Masters only by special invitation, could qualify by winning the national opens.
Joaquin Niemann of Chile, like other LIV golfers, is suspended from the PGA Tour but was invited to the Masters the past two years, partially due to the strength of his international schedule.
The 90th Masters in 2026 will be contested from April 9 to 12 at Augusta National.
In other news, the LPGA Tour announced that it has signed a multi-year deal with cybersecurity company Fortinet to serve as the title sponsor for the Founders Cup.
The tournament dates back to 2011 and honours the LPGA’s 13 women who founded the tour in 1950.
The 2025 edition was won by Yealimi Noh in Florida in February with the US Virgin Islands serving as a presenting sponsor. Cognizant had been the title sponsor for previous editions when the tournament was held in New Jersey.
The 2026 Founders Cup is scheduled to be contested at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club in California from March 19 to 22. AFP, REUTERS
