On Tuesday, the R&A and the Augusta National Board released a joint statement.
The topic addressed was the qualification criteria, which has been a constant focus of attention in recent years due to its constant evolution.
Well, we'll have some important changes for 2026 as well.
Open Championship, news
Inspired by the Open Championship qualifying rounds, the Board led by Fred Riley has included several invitational categories (the Masters is formally an invitational, editor's note) that will combine the first Major of the season with the final Major of the most important tournaments.
Therefore, the following will receive an invitation (unless otherwise qualified):
the winner of the Scottish Open
the winner of the Spanish Open
the winner of the Japan Open
the winner of the Hong Kong Open
the winner of the Australian Open
the winner of the South African Open
To "make room" in the field, the criteria for inviting PGA Tour tournament winners has also been updated.
Starting next year, only winners of tournaments that award a minimum of 500 FedEx points toward the Tour Championship ranking will receive an invitation.
In effect, Fall Series tournament winners will no longer be invited, another blow to a part of the season that has already drawn criticism from players who, ranked outside the top 70, are still fighting to stay in the fold.
Fred Riley stated:
"The Masters Tournament has always recognized the importance of having international representation among its invitees."
"We, along with the R&A, have a shared commitment to the game of golf as a whole and are proud to work together."
"Today's announcement reinforces our organizations' collective vision to reward the world's top talent who reach the top of national open championships."
"We hope this formal recognition will shine a spotlight on these players and the tournaments they will represent at the Masters and the Open, starting next year."
Thus, the Masters endorses the Open Championship's approach, even if a clear statement regarding LIV Golf players is still missing.
