10 Notable Absences from the 2024 Masters include the following:
1. **Talor Gooch**
– Talor Gooch, once a prominent figure on the PGA Tour, finds himself absent from this year’s Masters roster. Despite his vocal advocacy for LIV, his world ranking has plummeted to 550, rendering him ineligible for a return invitation.
2. **Dean Burmester**
– Dean Burmester’s absence surprises many, given his recent successes both within and outside the LIV circuit. However, despite winning consecutive titles on the DP World Tour, he fell short of the top 50 in the world rankings, missing the Masters cut.
3. **Louis Oosthuizen**
– Louis Oosthuizen’s impressive major championship resume couldn’t secure him a spot this year. With a world ranking now at 118 and recent exemptions exhausted, Oosthuizen’s streak of 15 consecutive Masters appearances comes to an end.
4. **Bernhard Langer**
– Known for his perennial presence at Augusta National, Bernhard Langer’s absence this year is attributed to an unexpected Achilles tear sustained during a game of pickleball, sidelining him from his anticipated 41st Masters.
5. **Angel Cabrera**
– Despite speculation surrounding his return after legal troubles, Angel Cabrera’s visa issues have dashed any hopes of competing at this year’s Masters, leaving the golf world curious about his future in the sport.
6. **Kevin Kisner**
– Kevin Kisner’s absence raises eyebrows, considering his previous consistency at major championships. However, a slump in form and a hiatus from competition, coupled with his broadcasting commitments, keep him out of contention.
7. **Harold Varner III**
– Harold Varner III’s respectable performance at last year’s Masters wasn’t enough to secure him a return invitation, as only the top 12 finishers receive automatic entries. With a plummeting world ranking, Varner finds himself on the sidelines this year.
8. **Billy Horschel**
– Despite recent improvements in his game, Billy Horschel falls short of Masters qualification, remaining outside the top 80 in the world rankings. His past accolades, including a spot on the 2022 U.S. Presidents Cup team, couldn’t secure his place this year.
9. **Sandy Lyle**
– Sandy Lyle’s decision to retire from professional golf marks the end of an era at Augusta. With a memorable Masters career, including a victory in 1988, Lyle bids farewell to the tournament, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable moments.
10. **Larry Mize**
– Larry Mize’s decision to retire from the Masters circuit is met with nostalgia, as the 1987 champion bows out gracefully. With the golf course deemed too challenging in his later years, Mize reflects on his storied career and prepares for a new chapter beyond the fairways of Augusta.
Despite the absence of these notable players, the 2024 Masters promises excitement and intrigue as the remaining field competes for the coveted green jacket.