Trio accept invitations for Masters

JOAQUIN Niemann, Thorbjorn Olesen and Ryo Hisatsune have accepted invitations to compete in this year’s Masters.

Niemann has slipped outside the world’s top 50 since joining LIV Golf but won the Australian Open in December and carded a 12-under-par 59 in the first round of the Saudi-funded breakaway’s event in Mayakoba earlier this month.

The 25-year-old, who went on to beat former Masters champion Sergio Garcia in a play-off, finished joint 16th at Augusta National last year.

Masters chairman Fred Ridley said: “The Masters tournament has a long-standing tradition of inviting leading international players who are not otherwise qualified.

“Today’s announcement represents the tournament’s continued commitment towards developing interest in the game of golf across the world. We look forward to welcoming each player to Augusta National this spring.”

Olesen, who finished joint sixth on his Masters debut in 2013, is currently ranked 59th in the world after winning the Ras Al Khaimah Championship at the end of January.

Hisatsune, who became the first Japanese player to be voted the DP World Tour’s rookie of the year in 2023, will make his Masters debut.

A total of 83 players are currently in the field for the year’s first major. Winners of upcoming PGA Tour events that award full rankings points will also become eligible, along with the top 50 in the world – not already exempt – on April 1.

■■South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence is hoping for another strong performance in the Magical Kenya Open to boost his bid to achieve some lofty goals this season.

Lawrence has his sights set on representing his country in the Paris Olympics, earning a Presidents Cup debut and competing in more major championships in 2024 after contesting the US PGA, US Open and Open Championship last year.

A fifth DP World Tour title since November 2021 would go some way to achieving those aims and Lawrence will be buoyed by finishing runner-up on his tournament debut at Muthaiga Golf Club in 2022.

“I like the course,” Lawrence said. “It’s a bit softer than the last time we played but I grew up on golf courses like this.”