LIV Golf's Joaquin Niemann will return to the Masters, marking the second consecutive time Augusta National has extended a special invitation to the Chilean.
Augusta National also invited Nikolai Hojgaard, an even more surprising decision as the 23-year-old Dane is playing a full PGA Tour schedule for the first time since playing in last year's Masters It hasn't been in the top ten since.
Hoygaard's twin brother Rasmus has already qualified to enter the top 50 in the world by the end of 2024. This will be the first time the twins will compete in the same Masters. They have competed in the British Open together the past two years.
Niemann became the first player to receive special invitations for two consecutive years since Japan's Ryo Ishikawa in 2012 and 2013. This is another example of the club going beyond the traditional tour to field courses.
Niemann remains the only LIV golfer to receive an invitation since the Saudi-funded league began in June 2022.
“In support of Augusta National's efforts to cultivate interest in golf around the world, throughout the history of the tournament, international players who are not eligible have been invited,” Chairman Fred Ridley said in a statement said the press release. “That tradition continues as we welcome Nicola and Joaquin back to the Masters, as both players have showcased their talents in tournaments around the world.”
LIV Golf does not earn world ranking points because its roster is closed each season, making it difficult for players to break into the top 50 in the world – the main category for global players.
In order to reach the major leagues, Niemann preferred to play outside of LIV.
He finished fifth at the Australian PGA Championship, won the Australian Open at the end of 2023, and tied for fourth at the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic in early 2024. The club noticed and invited him.
Niemann finished tied for 22nd at the last Masters, tied for seventh at the DP World Tour Championship this year, tied for fifth at the Australian Open, and won the Saudi International on the Asian Tour. . He is ranked 71st in the world.
It's generally more difficult for PGA Tour members to get a special Masters invitation because they have a greater chance of qualifying, either by winning any of the 40 tournaments or advancing to the Tour Championship.
Hoygaard has not made the FedExCup playoffs in 17 starts, although one of his best performances this year came at Augusta National.
The Dane, making his first Ryder Cup appearance in Europe in 2023, briefly led in the third round of the Masters before shooting a final 76. He shot 40 on the back nine and finished one stroke outside the top 12. Automatically qualify for this year's competition.
Hoggard finished second at Torrey Pines a year ago. After a tie for 16th at the Masters, his only top-10 finishes were a seventh-place finish at the Olympics and a tie for ninth at the Genesis Championships in South Korea.
A total of 87 players are expected to participate in this special invitation. Still to be decided are next week's Latin American Amateur winner, any PGA Tour winner offering FedEx Cup points, and the world's top 50 announced the week before the Masters.
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