Joaquin Niemann is ready to change into the primary LIV golfer to play in one of many 4 majors by particular invitation after Augusta Nationwide included him amongst three discretionary picks for the Masters.
Niemann, 25, has joined Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune, the DP World Tour’s rookie of the 12 months, and Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen in being invited to play at Augusta in April.
After beating Sergio Garcia in a play-off at LIV Golf Mexico three weeks in the past, Niemann had expressed concern that he would possibly miss out on the majors after seeing his world rating drop from a profession excessive 18 to its present place of 81 – nicely exterior the highest 50 cut-off level for automated qualification for the Masters.
Though LIV Golf occasions obtain no world rating factors, Niemann received the Australian Open in December – which assured his place within the Open Championship at Troon this summer season – and his willingness to play in tournaments exterior LIV Golf in an effort to realize rating factors, together with a current fourth place end on the DP World Tour in Dubai, appears to have been sufficient to draw the eye of the Masters’ committee.
“The Masters event has a long-standing custom of inviting main worldwide gamers who aren’t in any other case certified,” stated Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership. “Right now’s announcement represents the event’s continued dedication in the direction of creating curiosity within the recreation of golf internationally. We look ahead to welcoming every participant to Augusta Nationwide this spring.”
Augusta Nationwide sometimes awards the particular invitation to gamers who would not have the identical entry as PGA Tour gamers, who can qualify via profitable or attending to the Tour Championship.
The invites carry the present Masters subject to 83 gamers. The one different manner for gamers to now qualify is to win one of many seven PGA Tour occasions earlier than the Masters or to climb into the world’s high 50 earlier than April.
