With most of the attention on the Presidents Cup last week, Jazz Janewattananond won the Indonesian Masters for his third Asian Tour victory of the year and secured a spot in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
The 24-year-old Thai moved to No. 45 in the world ranking and is guaranteed to finish among the top 50, one of the criteria used by Augusta National for its Masters field.
This is the final week of tournaments around the world, with Australian PGA Championship in Gold Coast and the Thailand Masters on the Asian Tour.
The Masters — an invitation only event — traditionally has the smallest field of golf’s majors. Players qualify through one of 18 categories or through special exemption.
That means Victor Perez of France (No. 44), Andrew Putnam and Erik Van Rooyen are assured of finishing in the top 50 and securing spots in the Masters.
This week will determined another spot. Adam Hadwin is projected to finish the year at No. 50, but he could get bumped if two-time Australian PGA champion Cameron Smith finishes in a two-way tie for third of better.
That would put the field at 87 players (same as last year), with the Latin American Amateur Championship in January. Winners of PGA Tour events that offer full FedEx Cup points will be eligible, along with the top 50 published a week before the Masters.
The Masters hasn’t broken 100 since 103 players teed up in 1966. The 2011 Masters field came closest with 99 qualifiers.
Tiger Woods won the 2019 Masters. The 2020 Masters Tournament starts Thursday, April 9, 2020.
