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Augusta National and the R&A announced that winners of national opens will now receive invitations to the Masters and Open Championship.
In a joint press release Tuesday morning, the club and governing body asserted the updated qualification criteria “builds on the R&A’s longstanding and successful Open Qualifying Series and will ensure strong international pathways into both major championships from several professional tours, recognising the global strength of elite professional golf.”
“The Masters Tournament has long recognised the significance of having international representation among its invitees,” said Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament. “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 organisation’s 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.”
Winners of the following tournaments will benefit from the invitations:
Scottish Open
Spanish Open
Japan Open
Hong Kong Open
Australian Open
South African Open
Additionally, Augusta National updated how it awards invitations to PGA Tour winners, stating the exemption applies “only to individual winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation (500 minimum) applied to the season-ending Tour Championship.” Essentially, the new rule means that winners of PGA Tour FedEx Cup Fall events no longer will receive Masters invites.
Scottie Scheffler – 153rd Open Championship in 2025, Royal Portrush – Oisin Keniry/R&A
This year’s Masters was captured by Rory McIlroy, who completed the career Grand Slam with his win, while Scottie Scheffler is now a U.S. Open victory away from the Slam after grabbing the claret jug at Royal Portrush. The 2026 Masters will be the 90th playing of the tournament and begins April 9. The Open returns to Royal Birkdale and begins July 16.
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Main Image: Stephen Denton
