How Many Golfers Play In The Masters?
Are you curious about how many people get to play in the Masters?
The Masters is an invitational tournament and has its own criteria for who gets to walk the hallowed fairways of the first major every April.
There will usually be a field of around 90 players for the event. In 2023 the entry list had 88 names on it.
The Masters is one of the most iconic tournaments in all of golf, and it draws some of the best players from around the world. Securing an invite to Augusta is a dream for many golfers even seasoned pros.
In this article, you’ll learn about what it takes to qualify for this tournament as well as how many people actually get to play each year. Plus, we’ll give you an inside look at who founded Augusta National and other interesting facts about this legendary event.
Qualifications for Masters Field
Every year, the Masters field size is limited to around 90 of the world’s best golfers. The tournament is highly competitive and qualifications for an invitation are strict.
You can qualify for a spot at the tournament in the following categories:
- past Masters Tournament champions
- U.S. Open champions (previous five)
- The Open champions (previous five)
- PGA Championship winners (previous five)
- winners of The Players Championship (previous three)
- current Olympic gold medalist
- U.S. Amateur champion and runner-up
- The Amateur champion
- Asia-Pacific Amateur champion
- Latin America Amateur champion
- U.S. Mid-Amateur champion
- NCAA Division 1 Mens Individual Champion
- first 12 players from the previous year’s Masters (and ties)
- first four from the previous year’s U.S Open (and ties)
- first four from the previous year’s Open Championship (and ties)
- first four from the previous year’s PGA Championship (and ties)
- winners of PGA Tour events since the previous Masters (must receive a full allocation of FedEx Cup points)
- the 50 leaders on both the final Official World Golf Ranking for the previous calendar year
- the top 50 leaders on the Official World Golf Ranking published during the week prior to that year’s Masters event
- the 30 players who competed in the previous Tour Championship who are not otherwise qualified
2023 Masters Field Size
In 2023 there were 88 players vying for the coveted green jacket. This included the defending champion, Scottie Scheffler.
LIV Golfers at the Masters
The Masters 2023 featured 18 LIV golfers. Brooks Koepka put in a very strong showing before fading in the final round with Phil Mickelson also doing well to finish in a tie for second behind Jon Rahm who won his first Masters.
The Tournament committee decided that LIV players that met the eligibility criteria would be allowed to play so former champions such as Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed and Dustin Johnson were able to compete.
Presumably by the 2024 edition of the tournament, there won’t be an issue since the PGA and DP World Tours have merged with LIV Golf to form one big happy family for the betterment of golf!
How Many Amateurs Play At The Masters?
Elite amateurs from around the world strive to earn an invitation to The Masters, with some making it more than once and others never quite getting there.
Under the current criteria, you are likely to see 7 amateurs teeing it up unless a PGA Tour event is won by one! (Phil Mickelson was the last player to win on Tour as an amateur). Of course, a player might qualify in more than one category or they might turn professional before the Masters which would mean no invite.
Many amateurs also take the opportunity to stay in the clubhouse in the Crows Nest. Amateurs that manage to make the cut compete for low amateur honors that have in the past been won by some of the greatest in the game including Nicklaus and Woods.
The best finishes by an amateur all came some time ago with Charles Coe (T2), Ken Venturi (2), Frank Stranahan (T2) with Coe having the best score by an amateur of 281 (-7).
What Is The Champions Dinner
Since 1952 the Champions Dinner has been held to honor the previous winners of the event. It’s hosted by the reigning champion and features a guest list of some of golf’s greatest players. Ben Hogan was the first host.
The chairman of the club is also invited to enjoy a meal that has been selected by the defending champion. For example, Sandy Lyle served haggis while Sir Nick Faldo served fish and chips.
Who Founded and Designed Augusta National
Founded by the legendary amateur golfer Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, Augusta National Golf Club sit on a former plant nursery.
Jones played an instrumental role in designing the golf course along with Alister MacKenzie and developing it into one of the best courses in the world.
It is pretty demanding physically as it falls across the property from the clubhouse down to Rae’s Creek.
For every golfer competing in The Masters, there is an unspoken goal – to win this historic event and be remembered forever for achieving greatness on one of golf’s grandest stages.
Masters Prize Money
There is an impressive purse of $18 million for the 2023 event, making it one of golf’s most lucrative tournaments. This is an increase of $3m over the 2022 Masters.
| Position | Player | Score | Prize Money ($) |
| 1 | Jon Rahm | −12 | 3240000 |
| T2 | Brooks Koepka | −8 | 1584000 |
| Phil Mickelson (c) | |||
| T4 | Russell Henley | −7 | 744000 |
| Patrick Reed (c) | |||
| Jordan Spieth (c) | |||
| T7 | Viktor Hovland | −6 | 580500 |
| Cameron Young | |||
| 9 | Sahith Theegala | −5 | 522000 |
| T10 | Matt Fitzpatrick | −4 | 432000 |
| Collin Morikawa | |||
| Xander Schauffele | |||
| Scottie Scheffler (c) |
(c) denotes previous masters winner
In the 2023 Masters Tournament, a total of 53 players made the cut with Keith Mitchell finishing in last place and picking up $43,200.
This year, more than 90 professional golfers will be vying for their share of this record-breaking purse.
Winning the Masters Tournament is a dream come true for professional golfers, and with such a large amount on offer, it’s sure to be an exciting event!
These days even the caddies can make a small fortune!
Masters Tournament Records
Apart from 1943-1945, the Tournament has been played every year since 1934. Here are some of the most important tournament records.
Most Masters Titles: Jack Nicklaus – 6
Lowest Score: Dustin Johnson – 268 (-20)
Largest Margin of Victory: Tiger Woods – 12 strokes
Back To Back winners: Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Falso, Tiger Woods
Wire-to-wire winners: Craig Wood, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Raymond Floyd, and Jordan Spieth
Youngest Player: Guan Tianlang – 14 years and 168 days
Oldest Winner: Jack Nicklaus – 46 years and 82 days
Most Appearances: Gary Player – 52
The world’s greatest golfers have competed for this major championship title over many years, creating a rich tapestry of stories that will live on forever as part of Masters history.
Other Events Held at Augusta National
In recent years the club has started hosting two new events:
- Augusta National Women’s Amateur
- Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals
The Women’s Amateur is a 54-hole competition for leading amateur players with a cut after 36 holes.
Drive, Chip and Putt is an event for junior boys and girls from the ages of 7-15. There are qualifying events throughout the US with finals held at Augusta just before the Masters.
The Augusta National is one of the most famous golf courses in the world but it isn’t a TPC! Do you want to know what a TPC course is?
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]
What is the cost of a ticket to the Masters?
In order to get a ticket for the Masters you will almost certainly need to use one of the many packages available from tour operators. These can be pretty expensive.
Getting a tournament badge is really difficult as the list was closed to new applicants for many years. Even practice day tickets are difficult to come by.
How many days does the Masters last?
The Masters typically lasts four days – Thursday to Sunday.
Is the Masters televised?
Yes, the Masters Tournament is televised. It’s a spectacle that captivates millions of viewers, bringing them together in an awe-inspiring display of skill and achievement. In the UK the sight of the Augusta fairways is what gets many golfers out of their winter hibernation.
What is the difference between the Masters and other golf tournaments?
The Masters is one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world. It’s different from other golf tournaments because it has a unique style, history and traditions. Only select players are invited to compete which adds to its exclusivity. It is the only major championship held at one venue.
How Many Golfers Play In The Masters: Summary
Typically there will be around 90 players qualified to play in each edition of the Masters depending on the qualifying criteria in use that year.
Yes, you can play Augusta but only on a simulator! Do you want to know how golf pros hit the ball so far?
Should you play Torrey Pines North or South?
