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Howell to make Masters debut

Montgomerie may still have to rely on an invitation to keep up his regular tussle with Augusta National. Who will win?


Posted: 23 December 2004
by Bob Warters


David Howell – Augusta debut

European Tour players David Howell and Joakim Haeggman will make their US Masters debut at Augusta National from April 7-10, 2005.

They secured 43rd and 48th places respectively on the season-closing World Rankings. Left-hander Nick O’Hern from Australia, also gets in for the first time.

Stuart Wilson, a former pro who regained his amateur status and works in a Carnoustie golf shop, will also be drooling over an invitation this Christmas – as the 2004 Amateur Champion.

But fellow Scot Colin Montgomerie, the Ryder Cup hero, will have to show some improved form early in the New Year, if he is not to miss his annual trip to Georgia for the first time since 1991. His best finish was 8th in 1998.

US Masters field so far

The 87 players who have qualified and are likely to compete in the 69th Masters. Players listed in only one category.

Masters champions: Phil Mickelson, Mike Weir, Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Jose Maria Olazabal, Mark O’Meara, Nick Faldo, Ben Crenshaw, Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples, Ian Woosnam, Sandy Lyle, Larry Mize, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Craig Stadler, Tom Watson, Fuzzy Zoeller, Gary Player, Raymond Floyd, Tommy Aaron, Charles Coody.

US Open champions (last five years): Retief Goosen, Jim Furyk.

Open (British) champions (last five years): Todd Hamilton, Ben Curtis, Ernie Els, David Duval.

US PGA champions (last five years): Shaun Micheel, Rich Beem, David Toms.

Players Championship (last three years): Adam Scott, Davis Love III.

US.Amateur champion and runner-up: Ryan Moore, Luke List. British Amateur champion: Stuart Wilson US Mid-Amateur: Austin Eaton III.

Top 16 players and ties from 2004 Masters: K.J. Choi, Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey, Chris DiMarco, Nick Price, Kirk Triplett, Padraig Harrington, Charles Howell III, Casey Wittenberg.

Top eight players and ties from 2004 US Open: Jeff Maggert, Shigeki Maruyama, Fred Funk, Robert Allenby, Steve Flesch.

Top four players and ties from 2004 Open (British): Lee Westwood.

Top four players and ties from 2004 US PGA: Justin Leonard, Chris Riley.

Top 40 players from the 2004 PGA Tour money list: Stewart Cink, Stephen Ames, Stuart Appleby, Mark Hensby, Rory Sabbatini, Zach Johnson, Chad Campbell, John Daly, Scott Verplank, Jerry Kelly, Darren Clarke, Jay Haas, Kenny Perry, Carlos Franco, Rod Pampling, Tim Herron, Jonathan Kaye, Luke Donald, Ted Purdy, Ryan Palmer, Bo Van Pelt, Jesper Parnevik.

Top 50 players from final 2004 World Ranking: Miguel Angel Jimenez, Thomas Bjorn, Angel Cabrera, Ian Poulter, Peter Lonard, Fredrik Jacobson, Thomas Levet, David Howell, Nick O’Hern, Joakim Haeggman, Trevor Immelman.

Others who will have to be hot off the blocks are US Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman and Brad Faxon.

The Masters will also have another Palmer competing this year – not just the legend Arnie - but Ryan Palmer was among one of five Nationwide Tour graduates who earned a spot as a top 40 finisher in the US PGA Tour moneylist.

His final-round 62 to win the Funai Classic at Disney in October secured his place.

It will be his second visit to Augusta National after claiming entry tickets one year as a present for his father.

"Four of us went up there for Thursday and Friday. It was an awesome experience, just getting to see the place and Magnolia Lane and everything. It was an unbelievable dream come true to get to drive down there with my wife and my parents. Now I’m looking forward to it as a player."

So far 87 players, including six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus and Seve Ballesteros, twice a winner, have indicated they’ll play, though the final line-up will not be set until March 28.

Other ways for Monty to get in are as top 10 on the 2005 money list after The Players Championship, top 50 in the World Ranking at the end of March, winning The Players Championship or receiving a special invitation.

The last option seems his best bet.

Phil Mickelson defends the green jacket, winning his first major last year with five birdies in his last seven holes, including an 20-foot putt on the final green for a one-shot win over Ernie Els.

Tell us on the forum whom you think will win the 2005 major championships, including the US Masters.


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