Masters 2024: Top Unique, Embarrassing, & Unfortunate Facts About ANGC Field

Every year, one of the most eagerly awaited events in professional golf takes place at the esteemed Augusta National Golf Club, which is well-known for its breathtaking views, well-placed hazards, and thrilling finishes. Masters has a long and illustrious past that began in 1934 and is returning for its glorious 88th edition this year.

With the coveted green jacket awarded to the winner, winning the Masters is every golfer’s dream and evidence of their skill and resilience. This year’s tournament promises to be no different, with a unique blend of storylines adding intrigue to the competition. Let’s explore some of the interesting, regrettable, and embarrassing details related to the 2024 ANGC field.

3 interesting facts about the 2024 Masters field

With the field set and the invites sent, it is turning out to be an interesting pre-event season so far. With Tiger Woods being part of the field and Jon Rahm (now a LIV Golfer) hosting the Champions Dinner, there are so many things one needs to know about the upcoming game at Augusta National. However, here are three interesting facts unique to this year’s Masters.

1. 3 unique special invitees on the green at the Masters

The ANGC has offered special invitations to three golfers to compete in the Masters for the first time since 2008. Joaquin Niemann, LIV Golfer, is one of the reasons this decision created a lot of noise. The other two invites were gracefully granted to Ryo Hisatsune and Thorbjorn Olesen.

In 2008, the three invitations were awarded to Jeev Milkha Singh, Prayad Marksaeng, and Liang Wen-Chon, and now, after 16 years, this is done. Overall, this was the 15th time that the Illustrious Tournament has awarded special invitations since OWGR as an exemption category was implemented.

The invitation extended to a talented and young golfer like Niemann by Augusta National suggests a potential inclusion and acknowledgment of skills and talent.

2. An embarrassing omission from the field

At the 2024 Masters, there will be a notable absence for the golfing community. For the first time since 1985—that is, in almost 40 years—there will be Scottish representation on the luscious greens of Augusta. This comes as a huge shock since Scotland is the country that gave birth to golf and is closely associated with the game.

Robert MacIntyre and Martin Laird were the only ones hoping to get an invite to the tournament, but the former missed the cut at the Houston Open. Laird is currently (beginning of the second round) at T58 in the Texas Open; if he wins, he might get an invite to the tournament, but that looks highly unlikely as of now.

3. Bernhard Langer will not be playing at Augusta National

The two-time Masters champion and golfing icon Bernhard Langer’s withdrawal from the 2024 competition has disappointed many golf fans. Langer was forced to withdraw due to an unfortunate Achilles tendon injury. Before Langer’s surgery, he announced that the 2024 Masters would be his last, and hence his absence from the field stings a bit more.

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Celebrated for his extraordinary longevity and unwavering consistency, Langer has been a longtime favorite of Augusta National fans. His departure marks the end of an era in professional golf and leaves a vacuum on the field.

The remarkable group of players competing for the coveted green jacket is still the centerpiece of the 2024 Masters, even though the previously mentioned details add further layers of drama to the competition. Previous winners such as Dustin Johnson, Scottie Scheffler, and Hideki Matsuyama will be aiming to bolster their careers with another Masters victory.

With bated breath, the golfing world will watch the 2024 Masters begin. Will this year’s unusual additions cause additional controversy or open the door for professional golf to become a more inclusive sport in the future? It remains to be seen!

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