The 2026 PGA Tour season cannot come soon enough; it has been a long few months since the Tour Championship in August.
As well as some significant Tour events, the new season also means that the Masters Tournament is on the horizon.
There will be endless talk about the Masters over the coming weeks, not least Rory McIlroy’s chances of going back-to-back.
Meanwhile, many players will make the iconic drive down Magnolia Lane at Augusta National for the very first time.
One golfer has just earned an invitation to make his debut after finishing second in a playoff on the DP World Tour.
PGA Tour winner earns Masters invitation
PGA Tour winner Ryan Gerard flew to Africa last week to compete in the Mauritius Open on the DP World Tour.
Neither the field nor the prize money were particularly strong, so fans may have questioned why the American made the journey.
Well, Gerard was 56th in the Official World Golf Ranking before last week, giving him huge motivation.
With no more events remaining in 2025, he knew that it was his last chance to break into the top 50 in the OWGR.
That is an important milestone because the top 50 at the end of the year qualify for The Masters in April.
Do you think you could win The Masters if you started every hole on the green?
If not, how many shots would you also need?
Gerard said before the weekend in Mauritius: “That’s the reason I flew a long way to come here and hopefully punch a ticket to The Masters. That’s the goal.
“Competing in pressure situations are the most fun you can have as a professional golfer. I’m someone who loves competing and hates losing.”
The 26-year-old came so close to winning the tournament, losing to South African Jayden Schaper in a playoff hole.
However, Gerard did more than enough to book his place at Augusta, moving up to 46th in the world rankings.
Has anyone won The Masters on debut before?
Ryan Gerard will now be hoping to become the fourth player ever to win The Masters in their debut appearance.
Horton Smith first achieved it in 1934, although everyone was playing in the event for the first time.
Would you rather win The Masters or The Open Championship?
Gene Sarazen then repeated the feat a year later after his miraculous albatross on the 15th hole of the final round.
Fuzzy Zoeller’s debut victory was by far the most impressive, as by 1979, The Masters had become the special event it is today.
He beat Tom Watson and Ed Sneed in a sudden death playoff to claim his first of two major titles.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
