Scottish Open winner to receive Masters invite

In addition to changing qualification requirements, the winner of the Scottish Open will be invited to The Masters.

The Open will now grant entry to the Augusta showpiece along with the champions of the Scottish Open, Spanish Open, Japan Open, Hong Kong Open, Australia Open, and South Africa Open.

The Open Qualifying Series, which has been in place since 2013, is expanded by the move.

The Open Qualifying Series’s chief executive, Mark Darbon, said, “We take great pride in the range of qualification routes we offer to players around the world.”

“We have the same objective as Augusta National: to provide players competing in national open competitions with places in both the Open and the Masters, and by doing so, we can promote and advance our sport in those areas.

Players from all over the world will have an outstanding opportunity to qualify, and we firmly believe this will continue to improve the standard of play in both major championships.

Rory McIlroy’s title defense for the 2026 Masters, which he won with a career grand slam, will be held on April 6 through April 12, when he will defend it.

The R&amp, A, and Augusta National Golf Club both have a shared commitment to the global game, according to Fred Ridley, chairman of the Masters Tournament.

“Today’s announcement strengthens our organizations’ collective goal of rewarding top talent who can win historic national open championships.”