GolfSpy_APH Posted January 3 Share Posted January 3 https://www.si.com/golf/news/the-masters-should-have-its-own-qualifying-tournament Okay I haven't read the article, but just the title got me thinking. They already stand alone as the only major to only be at one course. They have so many of their own rules and traditions that this is one tournament it could be possible at. What do you think? Quote as of Nov 6, 2023 (Past WITB) Driver: Paradym TD w/ GD ADDI 6X Driver Shootout! Wood: F7 3 wood 14.5* w/ Motore F1 Shaft Irons: T Series - T200 5 Iron T150 6-9 Iron T100 PW/GW Wedge: Toura Golf - A Spec 53,37,61 degree Putter: Mezz Max! Balls: Vice Pro Plus Drip (Blue/Orange) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaskanski Posted January 3 Share Posted January 3 I don't get it. The Masters already has it's own qualifying criteria through varoius other avenues, why would another 'qualifying' tournament be necessary? Javs and GaDawg 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrogginBullfish Posted January 3 Share Posted January 3 1 hour ago, jaskanski said: I don't get it. The Masters already has it's own qualifying criteria through varoius other avenues, why would another 'qualifying' tournament be necessary? To give more players the opportunity to play. The Masters has by far the smallest field of any major in golf and a number of players in the field are past champions that are past their competitive days. I think we're on pace for the smallest Masters field this year in some time. Fore67 1 Quote DRIVER PXG 0811XF GEN4 (10.5°) FAIRWAY WOODS PXG 0341XF GEN4 (16°) HYBRIDS PXG 0317XF GEN4 (19°), PXG 0317X GEN4 (22°) IRONS PXG 0311T GEN3 (5 - 9) WEDGES TAYLORMADE MG3 (45°, 50°, 55° TW Grind, 60° TW Grind) PUTTER PXG BATTLE READY ONE & DONE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaskanski Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 (edited) 9 hours ago, FrogginBullfish said: To give more players the opportunity to play. The Masters has by far the smallest field of any major in golf and a number of players in the field are past champions that are past their competitive days. I think we're on pace for the smallest Masters field this year in some time. Like I said - players already have numerous other opportunities to qualify for the Masters - namely winning other events being the primary criteria. The whole point of the Masters is not to give more players more opportunities - it's to give the select few who have been proven to be successful the chance to play against their peers for a 'champion of champions' title. Hence the title 'Masters'. It's also important to remember the Masters is technically a Tournament rather than a Championship. 'A champion is someone who has won the first prize in a competition , contest , or fight . [...] A tournament is a sports competition in which players who win a match continue to play further matches in the competition until just one person or team is left' Edited January 4 by jaskanski GolfSpy_BNG and silver & black 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy_APH Posted January 4 Author Share Posted January 4 17 minutes ago, jaskanski said: Like I said - players already have numerous other opportunities to qualify for the Masters - namely winning other events being the primary criteria. The whole point of the Masters is not to give more players more opportunities - it's to give the select few who have been proven to be successful the chance to play against their peers for a 'champion of champions' title. Hence the title 'Masters'. It's also important to remember the Masters is technically a Tournament rather than a Championship. 'A champion is someone who has won the first prize in a competition , contest , or fight . [...] A tournament is a sports competition in which players who win a match continue to play further matches in the competition until just one person or team is left' Think you are taking this hypothetical too literally. The field this year at the Masters is going to be super small. Sure that could be something that is fine and with no apparent downside. It is exclusive, but what if there was a way to have a set minimum. Again this is all just for fun and a hypothetical. All the other Majors have pretty decent fields (yes I know some are called Opens before you go there), but would ensuring a minimum field size be such a bad thing? Especially if it went through a play in tournament of sorts run by Augusta? I'm not sure about many, but at least personally I would be more interested in watching that then many of the regular tour events as there is a real prize at the end. They could also make it more entertaining by tweaking formats and going to a match play. Have 8 or 10 spots available have then have 16 or 20 golfers going head to head for a spot at the masters? Of course there is history and tradition entrenched into the game of golf, but at the end of the day it is an entertainment product. This would fit that mold better than most of being a great entertaining event (not to mention it would close the mouths of LIV critics that want to see several of those players have a chance at playing in the masters). Byrnzee and Fore67 2 Quote as of Nov 6, 2023 (Past WITB) Driver: Paradym TD w/ GD ADDI 6X Driver Shootout! Wood: F7 3 wood 14.5* w/ Motore F1 Shaft Irons: T Series - T200 5 Iron T150 6-9 Iron T100 PW/GW Wedge: Toura Golf - A Spec 53,37,61 degree Putter: Mezz Max! Balls: Vice Pro Plus Drip (Blue/Orange) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaskanski Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 Good point, but I guess it's up to the organisers at ANGC who they want to invite. LIV winners would be a good shout, but Rory's tears from whining would be enough to fill Rae's Creek I fear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnosil Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 Seems to me that this just may be showing that the masters really isn’t that great of a tournament and may not be worthy of being considered a major. GolfSpy_APH, silver & black and Fore67 2 1 Quote Driver: G400 Max 9* w/ KBS Tour Driven Fairway: TS3 15* w/Project X Hzardous Smoke Hybrids: 915H 21* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype 915H 24* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype Irons: TR20V 6-11 w/Vizard TR20-85 Graphite Wedge: 54/12D, 60/8M w/:Accra iWedge 90 Graphite Putter: Sacks Parente MC 3 Stripe Backup Putters: Milled Collection RSX 2, mFGP2, Futura 5W, TM-180 Member: MGS Hitsquad since 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy_APH Posted January 4 Author Share Posted January 4 2 minutes ago, cnosil said: Seems to me that this just may be showing that the masters really isn’t that great of a tournament and may not be worthy of being considered a major. GolfSpy_BEN, ZackS, silver & black and 4 others 1 6 Quote as of Nov 6, 2023 (Past WITB) Driver: Paradym TD w/ GD ADDI 6X Driver Shootout! Wood: F7 3 wood 14.5* w/ Motore F1 Shaft Irons: T Series - T200 5 Iron T150 6-9 Iron T100 PW/GW Wedge: Toura Golf - A Spec 53,37,61 degree Putter: Mezz Max! Balls: Vice Pro Plus Drip (Blue/Orange) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Preeway Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 In theory, I would be against adding a qualifying event. I do think the Masters needs to find a way to keep the field competitive but size isn’t the only measure. With the world rankings now being wonky with LIV, something probably needs to give in order for the Masters to retain its relevance in the grand scheme of things. Fore67 and cnosil 2 Quote Driver: Aerojet LS, Ventus Blue Shaft - 6S 4 Wood: Rogue ST Max 16.5, Tensei White Shaft - 7S Utility Iron: Fli Hi 3-iron, HAZARDOUS Smoke Black Shaft - S Irons: JPX 921 Tour 4-P, Project X Shafts - Stiff 125g Wedges: 52º, 56º, 60º Putter: Ai-One 7 T CH, 34" Preferred Ball: Z-Star Diamond Pushcart: Nitron Rangefinder: Tour V5 Shift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fore67 Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 For year's now, the Masters has been the weakest field of any major. The criteria for getting into the tournament is the most restrictive (other than the former Sentry Champion of Champions). Former Masters winners get to play in the event as long as they like (some, far too long). Yes, the Masters is steeped in tradition. All those old fogeys are stuck in the time of Nicklaus, Player and Palmer still. The board will have to figure out a way to shake up the invite criteria and a play-in tourney could certainly fit the bill. Hard to say what changes would set the Masters up to be one of the better majors but I certainly agree that something needs to change. Mike Quote Played this wonderful game for 53 years now. Still love it! Callaway Guy Rogue driver Reg shaft Big Bertha 3 Metal Callaway X-Hot Pro Hybrids 16 and 20 degree Apex Pro Irons Graphite Shafts 4-A Callaway Mac Daddy 56 and 58 degree wedges Kayson Mallet 34" putter "Can't birdie them all if you don't birdie the first 2" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebaileymershon Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 Televised professional golf is dying on the vine. It is their tournament, an exclusive membership inviting who it wants. Are sponsors chaffing? Would be surprised if we hear. Imagine if ANGC let Masters coverage out for bid. Or CBS let contract lapse. ANGC will do what’s in their best interests. There are 2 Open championships that provide fairness and meritocracy. Quote Ed Bailey-Mershon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Preeway Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 1 hour ago, Fore67 said: For year's now, the Masters has been the weakest field of any major. The criteria for getting into the tournament is the most restrictive (other than the former Sentry Champion of Champions). Former Masters winners get to play in the event as long as they like (some, far too long). Yes, the Masters is steeped in tradition. All those old fogeys are stuck in the time of Nicklaus, Player and Palmer still. The board will have to figure out a way to shake up the invite criteria and a play-in tourney could certainly fit the bill. Hard to say what changes would set the Masters up to be one of the better majors but I certainly agree that something needs to change. Mike Weak field? Not sure I agree but the field has definitely been missing a few people capable of making for a better tournament. I think the Top 50 and past champion approach, along with a handful of tournament winners thrown in for good measure, is past its prime. I know nothing will change this year but something needs to give soon. William P and silver & black 2 Quote Driver: Aerojet LS, Ventus Blue Shaft - 6S 4 Wood: Rogue ST Max 16.5, Tensei White Shaft - 7S Utility Iron: Fli Hi 3-iron, HAZARDOUS Smoke Black Shaft - S Irons: JPX 921 Tour 4-P, Project X Shafts - Stiff 125g Wedges: 52º, 56º, 60º Putter: Ai-One 7 T CH, 34" Preferred Ball: Z-Star Diamond Pushcart: Nitron Rangefinder: Tour V5 Shift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy_APH Posted January 5 Author Share Posted January 5 https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/is-it-time-for-the-masters-field-to-expand/ - A very timely article given this discussion! Quote as of Nov 6, 2023 (Past WITB) Driver: Paradym TD w/ GD ADDI 6X Driver Shootout! Wood: F7 3 wood 14.5* w/ Motore F1 Shaft Irons: T Series - T200 5 Iron T150 6-9 Iron T100 PW/GW Wedge: Toura Golf - A Spec 53,37,61 degree Putter: Mezz Max! Balls: Vice Pro Plus Drip (Blue/Orange) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KC Golf Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 I may be an outlier, but I like the unique aspects of the Masters. So I don’t think they should change a thing. It’s nice to see high level Amateurs that qualify and the old Masters Champions in the field. It’s by far the best Major to watch in person or on TV. cnosil 1 Quote TSR 3 9.0 GD Tour AD - DI 6S Stiff TSi 3 15.0 GD Tour AD - DI 6S Stiff TS3 21 Hybrid Tensei AV Blue 65 HY Stiff U-510 19 Utility Iron HZDUS Smoke Black 6.0 Stiff 5-PW 101T Irons - KBS Tour Lite Stiff - Official Tester 2023 Vokey SM9 52 F - 12 Nippon NS Pro 950 Stiff Vokey Forged 56 M - 10 DG S200 MG3 60 - 12 NS Modus3 Tour 105 Stiff Scotty Special Select - Squareback 2 - 35” / Super Stroke Slim 3.0 Z-Star Diamond Players 4 bag Official Tester - 2021 & Loyal MCC Plus 4 Sensor User Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hckymeyer Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 I think that first article is a solution looking for a problem. The Masters does not have a problem. I do think we need to find a way to play nice with LIV and include their top guys in majors. How is Taylor Gooch not one of the top 50 golfers??? But that applies to all the majors, not just The Masters. I also did not read any of the articles though, so just basing thoughts off the headlines. Quote Driver: SLDR w/ Fujikura Ventus Black 3w: '16 M2 hl w/ Diamana D+ 82 5w: Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Yellow Hybrid: 22 deg. Launcher HB w/ HZRDUS Black Irons: 5i - gap Launcher CBX w/ Nippon Modus 3 125 Wedges: 54 CBX & 58 Zipcore w/ Nippon Modus 3 125 Putter: Red 7s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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