Joaquin Niemann of Chile and Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard have accepted special invitations to compete in the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, scheduled for April 10-13. This announcement brings the current field to 87 players.
Joaquin Niemann:
- Niemann, 26, will make his sixth Masters appearance. He has made the cut in each of his last four Masters tournaments, with his best result being T16 in 2023. Currently ranked 71st in the OWGR, Niemann has been active on multiple tours, including LIV Golf where he won twice in 2024, and he’s also secured victories on the Asian Tour. His efforts to maintain his world ranking by playing in non-LIV events have been recognized by Augusta National for the second consecutive year, showcasing his commitment to major championship participation.
Nicolai Hojgaard:
- Hojgaard, at 23 years old, is set to make his second appearance at the Masters after finishing T16 in his debut last year, where he briefly led on Saturday. He’s currently ranked 60th in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). His inclusion is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first time twins (Hojgaard and his brother Rasmus) will compete in the same Masters Tournament. Nicolai’s 2024 season included a strong performance at the Olympics and five consecutive top-25 finishes on the DP World Tour.
These special invitations align with Augusta National’s tradition of inviting international players who have shown exceptional talent but might not otherwise qualify through standard criteria, aiming to foster global interest in golf. Chairman Fred Ridley emphasized this tradition in his statement, welcoming both players back to the Masters due to their performances around the world.
“In support of Augusta National’s efforts to develop interest in golf globally, deserving international players not otherwise qualified have been invited throughout the Tournament’s history,” Ridley said.
“The tradition continues as we welcome Nicolai and Joaquin back to the Masters, as both players have showcased their talent while competing around the world. We look forward to their arrival this April.”
This decision reflects Augusta National’s approach to assembling a competitive and diverse field, looking beyond traditional qualification methods to include players who have demonstrated significant prowess on various international circuits.
