The PGA Tour regular season concluded with the FedExCup Playoffs this month, with attention now turning to the Fall season.
Focus has also already moved towards the new season, with the PGA Tour having confirmed its schedule for 2026.
There will be nine Signature Events on the PGA Tour next year, which as always involves four major championship events.
The Masters returns to Augusta National in April, followed by the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in May.
The US Open and The Open Championship complete the 2026 major championship calendar, taking place at Shinnecock Hills and Royal Birkdale respectively.
The Masters makes rule change impacting Fall PGA Tour winners
But The Masters has now announced a significant rule change regarding its qualification criteria and that of The Open, which will come into effect immediately.
As confirmed by The Masters, the change aims to ensure strong international pathways into both tournaments.
The announcement read: “Augusta National Golf Club and The R&A announced jointly today plans to align aspects of the qualification criteria for the Masters Tournament and The Open, awarding invitations to winners/top finishers of select national opens beginning immediately.
“This approach builds on The R&A’s longstanding and successful Open Qualifying Series and will ensure strong international pathways into both major championships from several professional tours, recognizing the global strength of elite professional golf.”
One key change involves winners of PGA Tour events in the Fall no longer receiving direct exemptions into The Masters.
Such exemptions are, however, available to the winners of the six national open champions of Scotland, Spain, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia and South Africa.
What are the new qualifications for The Masters in 2026?
It is certainly a timely announcement from Augusta and The R&A, with the FedExCup Fall season getting underway shortly.
Its schedule begins with the Procore Championship next month, with the event closely followed in the golfing calendar by the Ryder Cup.
And it looks set to take on extra significance this year, with Keegan Bradley wanting his Ryder Cup players to play the Procore in a bid to prepare for their huge tournament at Bethpage Black.
Sharing insight into the major championship announcement, Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and The Masters Tournament, said: “The Masters Tournament has long recognized the significance of having international representation among its invitees.
“We, along with The R&A, have a shared commitment to the global game and are proud to work together. Today’s announcement strengthens our organizations’ collective vision of rewarding top talent around the world who rise to the top of historic national open championships.
“We hope this formal recognition shines a bright light on these players and the events they will represent at the Masters and The Open, beginning next year.”
The newly added qualifications are:
- Current Scottish Open Champion (One year)
- Current Spanish Open Champion (One year)
- Current Japan Open Champion (One year)
- Current Hong Kong Open Champion (One year)
- Current Australian Open Champion (One year)
- Current South African Open Champion (One year)
Along with the newly added qualifications, qualification 17 has been amended, awarding invitations only to winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation applied to the Tour Championship.
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