The sphere for this 12 months’s Australian Open may obtain a late inflow of huge names to affix Rory McIlroy after affirmation a golden ticket to the 2026 Masters at Augusta for the winner.
In a landmark announcement which confirms the Australian Open as one of many world’s most prestigious occasions, Augusta Nationwide will lengthen an invite to the winner from this 12 months onwards.
It’s a transfer which may open the door an inflow of Masters hopefuls together with LIV stars who’ve fallen off the world rankings radar since becoming a member of the breakaway tour.
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As an alternative of providing invites to winners of among the weaker PGA Tour occasions, they may now be prolonged to the winners of six nationwide tournaments opens — the South African Open, Australian Open, Japan Open, Spanish Open, Hong Kong Open and Scottish Open.
“The Masters Match has lengthy recognised the importance of getting worldwide illustration amongst its invitees,” Chairman Fred Ridley mentioned.
“We, together with The R&A, have a shared dedication to the worldwide sport and are proud to work collectively. In the present day’s announcement strengthens our organisations’ collective imaginative and prescient of rewarding high expertise world wide who rise to the highest of historic nationwide open championships.”
This 12 months’s Australian Open is being performed at Royal Melbourne with reigning Masters champion McIlroy the headline act.
“We’re dedicated to elevating the standing of our nationwide Open, and this announcement is one other vital step in that route,” Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland mentioned.
“Profitable a spot in The Masters discipline is a superb honour for any golfer and mixed with the possibility to qualify for The Open will probably be a particular bonus for the Australian Open winner.
“With the 2025 Masters Champion, Rory McIlroy, confirmed to play at Royal Melbourne, there’s already big anticipation forward of the Australian Open in December. This announcement will solely gas higher curiosity from gamers, followers and business companions.”
“Profitable a spot in The Masters discipline is a superb honour for any golfer and mixed with the possibility to qualify for The Open will probably be a particular bonus for the Australian Open winner.
Augusta Nationwide invitations gamers inside the highest 50 on the official world golf rankings on the finish of the calendar 12 months and that is the primary main shift in Masters qualification guidelines for a decade.
The Australian Open already affords a spot on the British Open to the top-three finishers not already certified.