If the week preceding the Masters is any indication, we are in for a heck of a show at the season’s first major. Englishwoman Lottie Woad, a Florida State University sophomore, birdied 3 of her last four holes to win the Fifth Annual Augusta Women’s Amateur by one stroke. Akshay Bhatia and Denny McCarthy provided quite the show on Sunday at the Valero Texas Open. Bhatia seemed to have the tournament well in hand heading to the back nine at TPC San Antonio. McCarthy then went wild with his ball striking and putting, birdieing eight of the last nine holes, including the last seven. Despite injuring his shoulder while celebrating his putt on 18 that forced a playoff, Bhatia birdied the first playoff hole and earned his first full field PGA Tour victory and the coveted invitation to the Masters. Bhatia will be the first golfer to both compete in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals (held at ANGC) and play the Masters.
102 golfers received invitations and 89 will tee it up on Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club in the 2024 Masters Tournament. The field includes professionals who earned their invitations via multiple criteria and a select group of amateurs. Past champions receive a lifetime exemption, but the invitation is honorary when they are no longer competitive. Last evening was the annual champion’s dinner where all past champions dine on a menu chosen by the defending champion. Notably absent this week is past champion Bernhard Langer who had previously announced that this would be his final competitive Masters. Langer tore his achilles tendon earlier this year in a pickleball accident.
The schism in professional golf is once again at the forefront as the Masters will be the first event where members of the LIV Tour will be competing in a PGA Tour co-sanctioned event. Barred from competing in PGA Tour events and LIV events not earning OWGR points, LIV players have a difficult time earning their way into the field. While the Board of Governor’s extended a special invitation to Joaquin Niemann, 2023 LIV individual champion Talor Gooch will be at home while 13 of his fellow LIV members compete for the coveted Green Jacket. All week interviewees have been asked their thoughts on the situation and Golf Channel coverage has focused on the split.
Final practice rounds will be held today as well as one of the most fun traditions at Augusta, the Par 3 Contest. After the opening ceremony featuring honorary tee shots, Jake Knapp will be the first competitor to put a ball in play at 830 Thursday morning.
