The Masters is full of rules and regulations, traditions and guidelines and for a lucky few their performances can be enough to get them a return to the iconic Augusta National in 12 months time.
Tyrell Hatton, a prominent player in LIV Golf, made a bold move for his future in major tournaments when he signed a £50 million deal to join the controversial Saudi Arabian-backed circuit. However, his impressive performance in the final round of the Masters has already guaranteed his participation in the upcoming event at Augusta.
The opening golf major of the year is a unique event, with one of its traditions being that the top 12 players – and those who tie for 12th place – are guaranteed a return to the course next year.
The Augusta officials can adjust the criteria annually, and in 2024 they extended special invitations shortly before the deadline, but the qualification process remains relatively consistent.
The recipients of the green jacket in previous years enjoy a lifetime exemption, whereas amateur champions from various countries, PGA Tour winners between the two Masters tournaments, and winners of other major championships within the last five years are eligible to receive an invitation.
It seems that Adam Schenk’s wife has indicated that the top 12 players from the previous Masters tournament will remain unchanged for the 2025 edition. The group of players who finished in the top 12 and tied positions this year was quite intriguing, with some already having secured their status and others striving to secure a prominent position on the leaderboard.
Scottie Scheffler secured his second championship title in three years, guaranteeing himself a lifetime invitation to the prestigious tournament. He is now setting his sights on winning more majors and potentially becoming the first man since Tiger Woods (2001 and 2002) to defend the green jacket.
Also making it into the top 12 is LIV Golf star Patrick Reed, who already has a lifetime seat at the champions dinner. The 2018 champion finished one-over-par for the tournament after carding a level par final round of 71, adding another impressive Augusta finish to his record.
The current reality for the LIV Golf stars is far from being uncomplicated. Depending solely on their world ranking or victories in the PGA Tour is no longer sufficient to secure a spot in the prestigious Masters field. It is now evident that their performances in major tournaments are the sole determining factor for their success.
In January, Jon Rahm made a transition to the Saudi circuit, but similar to Reed, he is a previous champion and therefore confident about his return. However, this was not the case for his fellow LIV rebels, Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith, and Hatton, who all managed to meet the qualification criteria.
DeChambeau secured a five-year exemption by winning the U.S. Open in 2020, while Smith earned the same honor by winning the Open in 2022. On the other hand, Tyrell Hatton was at risk of missing out on a return, but he managed to secure his spot for 2023 by carding an impressive final round of 69 to finish tied for ninth place.
Collin Morikawa, a former major champion like Smith and DeChambeau, secured his spot for the next few years by winning the USPGA Championship in 2020 and the Open in 2021.
Xander Schauffele is eager to enhance his resume by securing a major title. As a consistent contender for PGA Tour victories and the current Olympic champion, his reign will come to an end this summer. With a fourth top 10 finish at the Masters in six years, Schauffele will be aiming for the coveted green jacket.
Joining the list of players making a strong comeback are Ludvig Aberg from Sweden, Tommy Fleetwood from England, Mathieu Pavon from France, and Cameron Davis from Australia. Aberg, in particular, made an impressive major debut by finishing as the runner-up. At just 24 years old, he is seen as a future major champion and a permanent fixture in the top 10 rankings. His outstanding performance guarantees his return to the competition.
Fleetwood achieved his highest ranking at the Masters with a tie for third place, while Pavon has already had a successful year on the PGA Tour. He secured a spot in the top 12, guaranteeing his return regardless of how the rest of his season unfolds. Davis ended the tournament at one-over-par, entering the top 50 in the world rankings and securing a spot at Augusta 2025.
Rounding out the group of players invited back are four American contenders who will have opportunities to compete on the PGA Tour and boost their world rankings before the next April.
Max Homa and Will Zalatoris have emerged as strong contenders in major tournaments and are expected to continue their success in the coming years. It is highly likely that they will be in contention again in 2024, especially in the USPGA and U.S Opens, as these tournaments are well-suited to their playing styles. Another notable performance came from Cameron Young, who achieved a top 10 finish for the fifth time in his 10 events this year. As a result, he has climbed up to the 14th position in the world rankings.
However, it is Adam Schenk who may be the most pleased with his recent performance. His top 12 finish has propelled him into the top 50 players in the world. Despite not having won a PGA Tour event yet, Schenk’s impressive performance at the Tour Championship in 2023 earned him a spot in the Masters tournament for the first time.
However, he is set to make a comeback at Augusta in 2025. The upcoming year will determine which other players will earn their spot to return to the renowned fairways of this sport.
Masters 2024 – Top 12
1. Scheffler -11
2. Aberg -7
T3. Fleetwood -4
T3. Homa -4
T3. Morikowa -4
T6. Smith -2
T6. DeChambeau -2
8. Schauffele -1
T9. Zalatoris E
T9. Hatton E
T9. Young E
T12. Pavon +1
T12. Reed +1
T12. Schenk +1
T12. Davis +1
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