9 golfers earn late Masters invites (including two major champions)

An eclectic mix of major champions and rising stars are set to earn late tickets to the Masters this month.

Most of the field for the first major of the year at Augusta National have already earned their Masters invitations through various different methods in 2024.

But the much-maligned Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) system will also enable nine more players to claim a spot in the fabled tournament. Players ranked inside the top 50 in the world at the end of the year who are not already exempt are about to receive their invites for the showpiece.

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The OWGR continues to face criticism on how it reflects the pecking order in the elite men’s game, given the split with LIV Golf and the governing body’s choice not to recognise the Saudi-backed breakaway league in their rankings. 

But while some may suggest that renders the OWGR meaningless, the system still holds huge importance when it comes to major qualification.

Without it, Jason Day may have struggled to qualify for his 14th Masters. The Australian is a former runner-up at Augusta but did not meet any other entry criteria this year, so is relying on his world No.38 ranking to punch his ticket.

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He will be joined in the field by 2009 US Open champion Lucas Glover, who enjoyed a remarkable career renaissance with back-to-back PGA Tour victories in 2023.

Glover finished a career-best 20th at last year’s Masters, but only the top-12 and ties guarantee their spot for the following season.

According to OWGR guru @VC606 on X (formerly Twitter), Nick Dunlap, Tom Kim, Corey Conners, Min Woo Lee and Denny McCarthy also look set to qualify via their world ranking.

Debutants Max Greyserman (world No.34) and Rasmus Hojgaard (world No.37) are set to complete the list of qualifiers through the world rankings, with the invites rubber stamped for December 31, 2024.

For the full 2025 Masters field, click here.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.