Changes to Masters Qualifications

Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Hootie Johnson has announced that the Masters has modified its qualifications for invitation with the 2000 tournament. Three of these changes will be effective for the 1999 Masters.

"Our existing qualification system has served us well," Johnson said. "We think, however, our new methodology better reflects the changes in golf, and will ensure that the best players world-wide are invited to the Masters each year."

Two performance lists identifying the world’s best and most consistent players will be used. Beginning with the 1999 Masters, the 50 leaders on the Final Official World Golf Ranking for the previous calendar year will qualify for invitation, as well as the 50 leaders on the Official World Golf Ranking published during the fourth week prior to the current Masters. The previous calendar year Official PGA Tour Money List, used as a Masters qualification since 1983, will be expanded from 30 to 40 players in 2000, and the three leaders on the current year Official PGA Tour Money List published during the fourth week prior to the current Masters also will be invited.

In 2000, invitees will include those players who finish in the first four, including ties, from the previous British Open. The winner of the British Open will continue to receive an invitation for five years following his victory. Historically, invitations have been issued to those who finished high in the Masters, US Open and PGA Championship the previous year. Beginning in 2000, the first 16 from the 1999 Masters (reduced from 24), the first eight players from the 1999 US Open (reduced from 16), and the first four from the 1999 PGA Championship (reduced from 8) will be invited. Also, for 2000 and subsequent years, winning a PGA Tour co-sponsored tournament (first implemented in 1972) will no longer be a qualification. Beginning in 1999, The Players Championship winner will receive an invitation for three years following his victory. Overall field size for the Masters will most likely increase.

Current qualifications, including tournament winners, will remain in effect for the 1999 Masters.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR MASTERS TOURNAMENT

(Effective 2000 Masters Tournament)

1. Masters Tournament Champions (Lifetime)

1. US Open Champions (Honorary, non-competing after five years)

1. British Open Champions (Honorary, non-competing after five years)

1. PGA Champions (Honorary, non-competing after five years)

1. Winners of The Players Championship (three years)*

1. Current US Amateur Champion (6-A) (Honorary, non-competing after one year);

Runner-up (6-B) to the current US Amateur Champion

1. Current British Amateur Champion (Honorary, non-competing after one year)

1. Current US Amateur Public Links Champion

1. Current US Mid-Amateur Champion

1. The first 16 players, including ties, in the previous year’s Masters Tournament

1. The first 8 players, including ties, in the previous year’s US Open

1. The first 4 players, including ties, in the previous year’s PGA Championship

1. The first 4 players, including ties, in the previous year’s British Open

1. The 40 leaders on the Final Official PGA Tour Money List for the previous calendar year.

1. The 3 leaders on the current year Official PGA Tour Money List published during the fourth week prior to the current Masters.

1. The 50 leaders on the Final Official World Golf Ranking for the previous calendar year*

1. The 50 leaders on the Official World Golf Ranking published during the fourth week prior to the current Masters*

The Masters Tournament Committee, at its discretion, also invites international players not otherwise qualified.

*Effective 1999 Masters - Qualification Nos. 5, 16, and 17