Golf’s two most prestigious tournaments, the Masters at Augusta National and The Open Championship, run by The R&A, are set to widen the path for international players aiming to compete on the sport’s biggest stages.
Starting in 2026, winners of several historic national open tournaments will earn automatic invitations into both majors. These events include the Scottish Open, Spanish Open, Japan Open, Hong Kong Open, Australian Open, and South African Open. By recognizing champions of these competitions, the organizers hope to create a more global flavor in the fields of both tournaments.
At the same time, Augusta National has refined its criteria by removing exemptions for champions of fall-series PGA Tour events. Now, only winners of full FedEx Cup point tournaments will secure Masters spots, placing greater emphasis on high-profile events throughout the season.
The R&A will also continue to expand its Open Qualifying Series, which allows players from around the world to earn places in The Open. The 2026 championship at Royal Birkdale will feature players who qualify through 15 tournaments held across 13 different countries, with more details expected later this year.
Both organizations expressed their commitment to broadening golf’s reach. Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National, highlighted that this collaboration reflects a shared ambition to grow the game internationally. Mark Darbon, CEO of The R&A, echoed those thoughts, noting that the new criteria open doors for emerging talents worldwide to compete on golf’s grandest stages.
This shift represents one of the most significant evolutions in major championship qualification, ensuring that the Masters and The Open maintain their global prestige while giving more international players a chance to shine.
