Masters, Open Extend Qualifying That Includes Six National Opens

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Augusta National Golf Club and The R&A have extended their partnership to continue aligning international qualification criteria for the 2027 Masters Tournament and The Open Championship, awarding invitations to winners and top finishers from select national opens worldwide. This collaboration expands global access to these majors, including new pathways for players linked to LIV Golf, and supports The R&A’s ongoing Open Qualifying Series to enhance international representation at the 2027 events.

Augusta National Golf Club and The R&A have agreed to extend their partnership aimed at enhancing international qualification pathways for the 2027 Masters Tournament and The Open Championship. Announced on September 21, the collaboration continues to align portions of the qualification criteria for the two historic majors by awarding invitations to winners and top finishers from select national opens worldwide.

The initiative, initially launched for the 2026 editions of both tournaments, seeks to recognize exceptional performances in some of golf’s most prestigious national championships. It includes awarding exemptions to champions from the Scottish Open, Spanish Open, Japan Open, Hong Kong Open, Australian Open, and South African Open.

Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National, highlighted the Masters' longstanding tradition of assembling a strong international field and emphasized the importance of celebrating the global nature of the sport. “This announcement reinforces our shared commitment with The R&A to offer pathways for players from around the world to earn their place in the Masters and The Open,” Ridley said.

The partnership also provides an additional route for players associated with LIV Golf to gain entry into the majors through victories in designated national championships, expanding opportunities beyond traditional tours.

For The R&A, this effort dovetails with the existing Open Qualifying Series, which has facilitated international access to The Open Championship since 2013. The qualifying series now spans 19 events across 15 countries, offering competitors multiple avenues to secure spots in the 155th Open Championship, set for July 11-18, 2027, at St Andrews.

Mark Darbon, chief executive of The R&A, noted that national opens have a proud tradition in golf and their inclusion strengthens the Championship’s status as a truly global competition. He added, “Working alongside Augusta National Golf Club allows us to continue our shared commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for players worldwide to achieve their goal of competing in The Open and the Masters.”

Augusta National will host the 91st Masters Tournament from April 5-11, 2027. The R&A is expected to release the full schedule for the 2027 Open Qualifying Series and details of exemption categories in the coming days.

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