It’s one of the most memorable pieces of mail a golfer can receive. It’s a simple piece of card with plain black writing that reads:
“The Board of Governors at the Augusta National Golf Club cordially invites you to participate in the Two Thousand and Fifteen Masters Tournament”.
We are of course talking about the letter that arrives once a player has qualified for the Masters. Whilst many players have already received their invitations, several are reserved for players yet to play their way into this year’s field. Here’s a closer look at the key players playing in Morocco and what they need to do to climb into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking and earn their Masters invitation.
Alexander Levy
Having made his Major debut at last year’s US PGA Championship, where he finished in the top 30, Levy will be keen to take the drive down Magnolia Lane in 17 days’ time. The Frenchman, winner of both the Volvo China Open and Portugal Masters last year, will need to finish in a two-way tie for second or better at the Trophée Hassan II to break into the top 50 in the world and earn a Masters invite.
Past Trophée Hassan II results: 35th, 37th.
Andy Sullivan
He’s won in two of his nine starts so far on The European Tour this season but Andy Sullivan has yet to tee it up in a Major. To make his Major Championship debut at Augusta, the Englishman needs to finish second alone or win the Trophée Hassan II to jump into the top 50 from his current position of 61st. He might fancy his chances however considering he finished solo second here last season following a dazzling final round nine under par 63.
Past Trophée Hassan II results: 17th, MC, 2nd.
Tommy Fleetwood
Having picked up his first European Tour title in 2013, Tommy Fleetwood enjoyed a breakout year in 2014. Three runner-up finishes along with three other top fives saw the Englishman qualify for the final two Majors of the season and finish 19th in the Race to Dubai. Whilst 2015 has got off to a slow start for the 24 year old, a Masters invitation would be in the mail if he were to win this week in Morocco.
Past Trophée Hassan II results: 37th, MC, 23rd.
Marcel Siem
One man who knows how close you can come to a Masters invitation is Marcel Siem. In 2013, Siem won the Trophée Hassan II and it looked as though his victory would earn him a place in the top 50 in the world along with an invitation to Augusta. Later that night in America, strong finishes from Henrik Stenson and Russell Henley meant Siem finished the week ranked 51st and missed out on a Masters invitation by the smallest of margins. The good news for the 34 year old this time around is that if he was able to lift the Trophée Hassan II title once again, he would be guaranteed of a place in the top 50. The bad news is that only a win will secure his place in the Masters field.
Past Trophée Hassan II results: MC, MC, 52nd, 1st, 48th.
George Coetzee
Of all the players pictured here, none have more Major experience than Coetzee. The South African has played in ten Majors so far with one appearance at Augusta National in 2013. Despite winning the Tshwane Open two weeks ago, Coetzee currently sits at Number 69 in the Official Golf World Ranking and will need a win this week in Morocco to receive a Masters invitation.
Past Trophée Hassan II results: 4th, 11th.
Whilst the five players listed above are all guaranteed of a Masters invitation with a win, three other European Tour players have an outside chance of playing their way to Augusta this weekend.
Ross Fisher
is in the Trophée Hassan II field this week and should he win, there is a chance he could be on his way to Augusta. A win would move him to either 48th, 49th or 50th in the World Rankings, depending on finishes from Alexander Levy and Andy Sullivan. If results at the PGA Tour’s Valero Texas Open went Fisher’s way, he could hold on to a top 50 spot and earn an invitation but could he could fall into the same situation as Marcel Siem in 2013 and miss out, despite a win in Morocco.
Talking of the Valero Texas Open,
Marc Warren and Francesco Molinari
will both tee it up at TPC San Antonia with a chance of qualifying for the Masters. Warren, currently 51st in the Official World Golf Ranking, needs to finish 18th or better whilst Molinari, currently 63rd, needs to finish third or better.
