While the new PGA Tour schedule is underway, TGL has begun and LIV Golf’s first event is less than a month away, for many, the golf season only properly starts once they have watched the world’s best take on Augusta National at the Masters.
Augusta National is like no other golf venue in the world. And the Masters remains the highlight of the year for many, with every player desperate to secure the first major title of the year. It represents the point in the year where it is starting to become clear who is in form and who may struggle.
Of course, many players have the chance to play their way into the event. But others will be relying on Augusta National to send them a special invite if they are going to get the chance to make the drive down Magnolia Lane.
It was confirmed that both Nicolai Hojgaard and Joaquin Niemann have been added to the field for this year’s event. But there is still time for further names to earn their ticket.
The PGA Tour youngster who should get the next Masters invite
And perhaps there is a standout candidate for the next invite.
Luke Clanton could have hardly made a better impression on the PGA Tour in 2024. The 21-year-old was not quite able to replicate Nick Dunlap’s win at The American Express, but he certainly came close – on a number of occasions.
Clanton finished in the top 10 in four of his eight starts last year, while he was runner-up at both the John Deere Classic and the RSM Classic. He will certainly feel that not getting across the line at the latter was particularly disappointing.
It definitely appears that Clanton – who won the Mark H McCormack Medal for being the world’s best amateur in 2024 – has an incredibly bright future ahead of him. And it would not be a surprise if he was at Augusta in April making only his second appearance in a major.
Plenty of support for Luke Clanton
Certainly, there is plenty of support for Clanton getting the chance to take on the Georgia pines, with Smylie Kaufman suggesting on X that he wants to see the starlet get an opportunity.
He is not rushing the process of turning professional. But his stock is definitely rising at a rapid rate, and it may even be that that first PGA Tour win is under his belt by the time the Masters comes around.
Hopefully, the powers that be have Clanton very much in mind for an invite in the near future.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
