A few months ago, the organisation of the Masters de Augusta announced an agreement jointly with The R&A so that six national opens around the world would award their winners invitations to compete in the famous tournament of the Chaqueta Verde and exemptions to play in the Open Championship. One of the ‘agraciados’ tournaments was the Open de España, thus multiplying the importance of lifting the trophy at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid. Now, the president of Augusta National, Fred Ridley, during his traditional press conference ahead of the start of the season’s first major, has opened the door to continuing down this path and even extending it to other opens
“Last August we announced jointly with the R&A that the champions of six prestigious national opens across four continents would receive an invitation to compete in the Masters and an exemption to play The Open Championship. So we are proud to welcome to Masters 2026 the current champions of the Scottish Open, the Open de España, the Open de Japón, the Open de Hong Kong, the Open de Australia and the Open de Sudáfrica“, he began by saying
“Golf has long enjoyed a loyal and enthusiastic following, and yet there are significant opportunities to broaden both participation and the audience, especially internationally. So we will continue to explore all avenues to expand the game and its popularity around the world”, Ridley said, before confirming that his plan could be prolonged over time and even opened to other relevant tournaments
“Firstly, we analysed the decision we took this year independently of other calendars, but we are also aware that those calendars and those criteria may change over time. So we really wanted to take our own step by identifying those six national opens. The purpose, as I have mentioned, is really to honour the history and importance of those championships”, he said. He then opened the door to an expansion: “Creo que puede haber otros Opens nacionales que deberían ser considerados”.
It should be remembered that the fact that from the outset it was said that these invitations and exemptions at the national opens would be rotational does not mean that, for example, the Open de España will give a place at the Masters and at the Open Championship every year to its winner. In fact, Ridley confirms they will analyse the situation in depth: “As we say time and again, we review our criteria every year, so we will analyse this next year and in the years that follow, and possibly we would do so. We will continue exploring ways to expand golf around the world”.
