Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said the recent change in invitation criteria announced by the Masters was driven by the increased international representation at the tournament.

Augusta National Golf Club and The R&A jointly announced on Aug. 26 a change in qualification criteria to ensure "strong international pathways into both major championships." That included removing automatic Masters qualification for winners of FedEx Cup Fall events, while awarding invitations to the winners of six national opens beginning in 2026.

Speaking ahead of this week's Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Dubai, which also grants a place in the Masters and Open Championship fields to the winner, Ridley said the Masters tournament committee was compelled to reward "historic" national opens.

"Inte

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