Joaquin Niemann, Ryo Hisatsune, and Thorbjorn Olesen have been granted special invitations to compete in the upcoming Masters tournament at Augusta National. Niemann, a 25-year-old golfer from Chile, secured his invitation due to his impressive performance at the Australian Open and his willingness to participate in tournaments outside the LIV Golf League to earn ranking points.
Hisatsune, a 21-year-old Japanese player, became the first Japanese player to be named European Tour rookie of the year. Olesen, hailing from Denmark, is an eight-time winner on the European tour and has previously played in the Ryder Cup.
Augusta National's decision to extend these invitations reflects the tournament's commitment to promoting international talent in the world of golf. The club typically reserves special invitations for international players who do not meet all the qualifying criteria, such as PGA Tour membership or access to certain events.
Niemann, who was ranked No. 18 in the world before joining LIV Golf in 2022, has since dropped to No. 81. Despite his success in the LIV Golf League, he expressed a desire to compete in major tournaments and earn his place among the elite players in the sport.
The Masters Tournament has a long history of awarding special invitations to leading international players, with the aim of fostering global interest in golf. This year's invitations bring the total number of players in the field to 83, with additional opportunities for qualification through PGA Tour events or world rankings.
Hisatsune, who transitioned from the Japan Golf Tour to the European tour, has quickly made a name for himself with notable victories and strong performances. Olesen's invitation comes after a tumultuous period following legal issues in 2019.
The Masters, scheduled for April 11-14, promises to showcase top talent from around the world as players vie for the coveted title at Augusta National.
