AUGUSTA, Ga. — As the hallowed grounds of Augusta National prepare to host the 89th edition of the Masters, excitement builds for the tournament that tees off this Thursday. The prestigious field comprises 95 players, each securing their place through various achievements and qualifications as per the event’s entry criteria.
Former Masters champions will once again grace the storied course, including Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Hideki Matsuyama, Dustin Johnson, and Patrick Reed. Past titleholders such as Sergio Garcia, Danny Willett, Jordan Spieth, and Bubba Watson will look to recapture glory. Other notable champions joining the competition are Adam Scott, Charl Schwartzel, Phil Mickelson, Angel Cabrera, and Zach Johnson, among others.
Several players have qualified due to their victories in major tournaments over the past few years. This roster includes PGA champions from the last five years like Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, and Collin Morikawa. Representing the U.S. Open champions over the same period are Bryson DeChambeau, Wyndham Clark, and Matt Fitzpatrick. Additionally, Brian Harman and Cameron Smith enter the field thanks to their British Open triumphs.
From the Players Championship, Rory McIlroy is in contention, courtesy of his status as a recent winner. Among up-and-coming talents, a-Hiroshi Tai enters as the NCAA champion, with other amateur stars such as a-Jose Luis Ballester and a-Noah Kent qualifying through their performances in the U.S. Amateur.
Each year’s Masters retains spots for the top performers from select preceding major tournaments and previous Masters events, thereby welcoming talents like Viktor Hovland, Thomas Detry, Patrick Cantlay, and Justin Rose. The recent PGA Tour victors, accruing full FedEx Cup points, also form a significant section of the field. This includes Taylor Pendrith, Davis Riley, and Robert MacIntyre, who all aim to make a mark on an iconic stage.
Players such as Sam Burns, Sungjae Im, and Shane Lowry have earned their participation by competing in the 2024 Tour Championship, while others like Tom Kim and Jason Day secure their positions via the top 50 ranks in the world rankings.
Completing the lineup, strategic selections and special invitations have been extended to outstanding players like Nicolai Hojgaard and Joaquin Niemann. With a field full of seasoned veterans and rising stars, the Masters promises drama and elite competition at every hole.