Augusta National has decided to invite the Chilean Joaquín Niemann again for the second consecutive year, an unusual event in the most select golf tournament in the world. The Torque leader will also be accompanied, as a second invitation, by the Danish Nicolai Hojgaard.
The Executive Committee of the green jacket tournament has valued the fact that Niemann, 71st in the world ranking, was ninth in the Olympic Games, seventh in the Dubai final and fifth in the defense of the Australian Open title. In the arguments expressed in the statement the two victories achieved in the LIV Golf do not appear at any time. It has also been emphasized that he has made the cut in the last four Masters.
Hojgaard, for his part, debuted last year in the Masters and until the last day he remained with options. An unfortunate final lap sent him to sixteenth place, which prevented him from automatically qualifying for the next edition. The added attraction for this edition is that by playing his twin brother Rasmus it will be the first edition that will feature a pair of twins in one edition.
“In support of Augusta National’s efforts to develop interest in golf worldwide, throughout the history of the tournament it has invited international players of merit who were not otherwise ranked,” said Fred Ridley, the tournament director. “The tradition continues by welcoming Nicolai and Joaquín back to the Masters, as both players have demonstrated their talent competing around the world.”
