Why Masters 2024 field could be the smallest in decades 

Golf’s most exclusive major is set for an even smaller field in 2024. 

The Masters Committee will hand out invitations to those players who have secured their golden ticket by finishing inside the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings before the final cut-off on April 7.

And many of those ranked within the top 50 will enjoy the festive period safe in the knowledge they’ll be heading to Augusta National in a few months’ time.

It is also expected that up to 11 players who are not already exempt through other qualifying criteria will be added to the field for the 2024 tournament via their world ranking status.

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The players in that category include European Ryder Cup stars Justin Rose and Nicolai Hojgaard, Adrian Meronk, Min Woo Lee and Ryan Fox.

Meanwhile, Ludvig Aberg, Camilo Villegas, Erik van Rooyen and Luke List already secured their spots with wins in this year’s FedEx Cup Fall events on the PGA Tour.

However, as it stands, there are still only 77 players who are eligible to compete in the first major of the year in Georgia.

Augusta National usually welcomes a field of between 85 and 100 to its invitational tournament, but it is looking increasingly likely that the 2024 field could drop below that range.

The winner of the Latin American Amateur Championship in January will also claim a spot, as well as the players who win a PGA Tour event between now and the Masters.

As noted by CBS, you have to go back to 1985 and Bernhard Langer’s first Masters win since a field of under 80 players teed it up in the major. That year, 77 players competed at Augusta, while 87 played in 2023.

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There are currently 20 different categories for players to earn their way down Magnolia Lane after some changes to the 2024 criteria.

Fred Ridley, the Augusta National chairman, confirmed before Jon Rahm’s win last year that his committee would not be adjusting the criteria to accommodate the players who are denied ranking points on the LIV Golf league.

“They (LIV golfers) made decisions based on what they thought was in the best interests of their golf careers,” Ridley said.

“Our invitation criteria does say that we reserve the right to issue special exemptions to international players.

“So, we’re always looking at that. But these decisions have been made and will have to do with what’s in the best interest of the Masters.”