Augusta National Golf Club has made two changes to Masters Tournament qualification aimed at guaranteeing that the most in-form players compete in the first Major Championship of the season.
The changes will allow the top ten players from the US PGA Tour money list published one week before the Masters Tournament to qualify for the event, as well as the top 50 from the Official World Golf Ranking in the same week.
Previously, it was only the top three from the US money list and the top 50 from the World Ranking published four weeks prior to the tournament.
"I think the quality of our field will be enhanced by these changes," Augusta National chairman Hootie Johnson said. "We have increased the number of players from the current year's (U.S.) PGA Tour money list, and in both instances players can qualify within one week of the tournament. This will ensure that the best players at the time are at the Masters."
