The field for this year’s Masters is almost complete – with five players officially qualifying earlier this week. The invitation was extended to the leading 50 players on the Official World Golf Ranking who had not yet been included on the roaster – and three of the names will be making their debuts at Augusta National, when the major kicks off on April 7th.
While none of these names will feature particularly highly when it comes down to the latest US Masters odds, let’s take a look at the five golfers who will take to the gruelling course.
Russell Henley
The American has played at Augusta five times previously, with his best finish coming in 2017 (T11) – however, he hasn’t played in the major since 2018. Henley is currently ranked 42nd, and has three wins on the PGA Tour circuit – with the most recent at the Houston Open in 2017. Last month, he finished T13 at The Players Championship, and earlier this year, also finished second at the Sony Open in Hawaii, as well as T7 at the Houston Open.
Thomas Pieters
It was in 2018 that Pieters last played in a major tournament on the PGA circuit, and has been playing on the European Tour for the last few years. However, he returned to the PGA Tour earlier this year and cemented his place in the top 50 with victory at the Abu Dhabi Championship in January. The Belgian recently had a meltdown on Tour in the WGC Match Play – and despite winning his first round match with Tom Hoge, went on to finish T26.
Séamus Power
Despite turning professional in 2011, the Irishman won his first PGA Tour title last year – beating J.T. Poston in a play-off at the Barbasol Championship. Power will not only be making a debut appearance at Augusta National, it will be the first time he has played in one of golf’s four major tournaments. Power reached the quarter-finals of the WGC Match Play – which secured his place in the top 50. Prior to the Championship, Power was ranked 48th, but a good showing has boosted his position to 41st – his highest ranking, and will look to next break into the top 40.
Harold Varner III
Varner is another name set to make his maiden appearance at Augusta National. However, he’s previously played in the other three of golf’s majors – his best finish being T29 in 2020’s PGA Championship. Earlier this year, the American beat compatriot Bubba Watson to win the Saudi International, and he’s since followed that up with a T6 finish in The Players Championship. Currently ranked 40th on the PGA Tour, Varner certainly warrants a place in The Masters.
Cameron Young
The 24-year-old American has risen up the rankings – since turning professional in 2019. After finishing 19th on the 2020-21 regular-season points list on the Korn Ferry Tour, he was rewarded with a PGA Tour card for this season – and will make his Masters debut at Augusta. Young finished T2 at the Genesis Invitational and rose into the top 100, and has since played in The Players Championship and Match Play. The rookie is currently ranked 45th, and will certainly be one to watch in the future.