24 December 2023 , 20:52
737
0
The Masters could look quite different in 2024 in what could be the smallest field in decades.
LIV Golf stars Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Taylor Gooch could all miss out due to the decision not to change the qualifying criteria to allow more LIV stars to play.
As it stands, only 77 players are eligible to compete in the first major of the year in Georgia. Augusta National usually hosts between 85 and 100 players at its invitational tournament, but the 2024 field could be even smaller.
The Masters Committee will send out invites to players who've made it into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings before April 7, with many of those in the top 50 can relax over Christmas, knowing they'll be off to Golf's most prestigious tournament.
It is thought that up to 11 players not already exempt through other criteria will join the 2024 tournament due to their world ranking status.
Bubba Watson shares details of horror knee injury ahead of LIV Golf debut
READ MORE: Bryson DeChambeau issues warning to PGA Tour with bold LIV Golf prediction
READ MORE: Ian Poulter taunts PGA Tour star over failed attempts to join LIV Golf
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.
He said: "They (LIV golfers) made decisions based on what they thought was in the best interests of their golf careers. 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."
Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood could both miss out (Getty Images)The Masters has not seen less than 80 players play at the prestigious tournament since 1985, when 77 players competed.
In 2023, 87 players took to the course. Here is a list of the players who are currently set to play in April's tournament.
Players who will take the course The Masters in 2024
- Ludvig Aberg
- Fred Biondi
- Keegan Bradley
- Sam Burns
- Patrick Cantlay
- Wyndham Clark
- Corey Conners
- Fred Couples
- Cam Davis
- Jason Day
- Bryson DeChambeau
- Nick Dunlap
- Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira
- Tony Finau
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- Tommy Fleetwood
- Rickie Fowler
- Sergio Garcia
- Lucas Glover
- Emiliano Grillo
- Stewart Hagestad
- Nick Hardy
- Brian Harman
- Tyrrell Hatton
- Russel Henley
- Lee Hodges
- Max Homa
- Viktor Hovland
- Sungjae Im
- Dustin Johnson
- Zach Johnson
- Si Woo Kim
- Tom Kim
- Kurt Kitayama
- Brooks Koepka
- Christo Lamprecht
- Bernhard Langer
- Luke List
- Shane Lowry
- Sandy Lyle
- Jose Maria Olazabal
- Hideki Matsuyama
- Rory McIlroy
- Larry Mize
- Phil Mickelson
- Taylor Moore
- Collin Morikawa
- Jon Rahm
- Patrick Reed
- Davis Riley
- Erik van Rooyen
- Xander Schauffele
- Scottie Scheffler
- Adam Schenk
- Charl Schwartzel
- Adam Scott
- Neal Shipley
- Vijay Singh
- Cameron Smith
- Jordan Spieth
- Sepp Straka
- Jasper Stubbs
- Nick Taylor
- Sahith Theegala
- Justin Thomas
- Camilo Villegas
- Bubba Watson
- Mike Weir
- Danny Willett
- Tiger Woods
- Gary Woodland
- Cameron Young
- Camilo Villegas