Augusta National Welcomes More International Players to 2026 Masters Entry Path
Augusta National adds more international players after opening six new international paths to 2026 Masters.
MADRID, SPAIN – OCTOBER 10: Marco Penge of England plays day two of the Open de España at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid on October 10, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty ImagesStarting in 2026, six more paths will open up for golfers to earn spots at the Masters. Winners of top tournaments in Scotland, Spain, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, and South Africa will now get direct entry to Augusta.
Two players have already claimed their spots. Marco Penge won in Spain, while Chris Gotterup took the Scottish title this past July. Their wins mark a shift in how players can reach golf's most storied event.
"The Masters Tournament has long recognized the significance of having international representation among its invitees," said Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, in The R&A release. "Today's announcement strengthens our organizations' collective vision of rewarding top talent around the world who rise to the top of historic national open championships."
The club made other changes too. The new rules state that only winners of PGA Tour events that give FedEx Cup points toward the Tour Championship will qualify, meaning winners of Fall tournaments no longer get exemptions.
Right now, 84 players have qualified. The real number will likely drop to 68.
Recent winners like Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, and Brooks Koepka are in thanks to their big wins. Last year's top 12 Masters finishers made it, plus the four best players from each 2025 major.
