Why the 2024 Masters Could Host the Smallest Field Ever

This year’s hotly-anticipated Masters Tournament is set up to be another brilliant Major championship, and we’re already counting down the days.

2024 marks ten years since Bubba Watson’s incredible second green jacket, twenty years since Phil Mickelson’s first major, a chance for five-time Major Champion Brooks Koepka to increase his big four tally, or perhaps Rory McIlroy to finally complete the Grand Slam. All are potential headlines to make from the first Major of the year.

It’s also likely to be the smallest Masters field in modern times. There are traditionally fewer players at the Masters than other majors, with fewer than 100 golfers in the lineup every year since 1967. Compared to the other three majors where 156 is the expected number, this is a large difference, but this year is set to be even lower.

Until next year. #themasters pic.twitter.com/YrpgqzAdPJ

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2023

The most popular way of qualifying for The Masters is to be within the Top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Past champions are guaranteed a spot, and take up a handful of positions, as well as the highly anticipated amateur slots in the field.

Due to the lack of ranking points available for LIV Golfers, guys like Talor Gooch, Abraham Ancer and Joaquin Niemann may be missing out. These golfers would definitely add talent to the roster, and the upcoming framework agreement between the PIF and the PGA and DP World Tours will completely transform the professional golf landscape very soon.

Eighteen LIV Golfers made up the field last year, with Brooks Kopeka and Phil Mickelson finishing within a couple of shots of the lead. This year, the Masters may only yield 10 LIV Golfers, including defending champion Jon Rahm.

Aside from past champions at Augusta, only recent Open champion Cam Smith is guaranteed a place in the field for the next five years. A top four finish in a major would guarantee guys like Bryson DeChambeau a spot in the Masters field, as his major exemption from the US Open win from 2020 will expire next year.

At the moment, the 2024 Masters field is expected to be around 77 golfers, which means the parking lot at the end of Magnolia Lane will have plenty of free spaces.

Should the tournament tweak it’s qualifying criteria?

Cover Image via Golfweek