With just two week's left until the Masters, time is running out for players to try and secure their invite to Augusta.
While those who ended 2014 in the world’s top 50 and the early season winners on the PGA Tour are already part of the lengthy list to qualify for a Masters invitation, there are plenty of players in action this week still in with a shout of reaching Augusta.
With this week’s Valero Texas Open the penultimate PGA Tour event and the Trophee Hassan II the final European Tour tournament before the first major of the year, there are limited chances left to break in to the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking and qualify.
Although nearly 100 players are already on the entry list for Augusta, here’s a closer look at those in action this week who can still earn their spot.
Marc Warren (world No 52) – Five consecutive top-25 finishes leaves the Scot on the fringe of Masters qualification, although another week near the top end of the leaderboard in Texas should be enough for an Augusta debut.
Harris English (world No 53) – A winless 2014 means the American needs to break in to the top 50 to return to play in his home state, so is likely to need a top three finish this week to move back up the rankings.
Alexander Levy (world No 54) – The two-time European Tour winner had broken in to the world’s top 50 after two top 30 finishes during the early season Desert Swing, but now needs a two-way tie for second or better in Morocco this week to stay in contention.
Andy Sullivan (world No 61) – The Englishman’s dreams of a first Augusta visit looked a genuine possibility when he followed up a debut victory in South Africa with a second at the Joburg Open, although back-to-back missed cuts leaves Sullivan requiring at least a runners-up spot to have any chance.
Francesco Molinari (world No 63) – A Masters regular over the past three years, the Italian needs to post a season-best solo third place finish or higher at San Antonio to maintain any hope of a fourth successive Augusta appearance.
Tommy Fleetwood (world No 64) – After ending 2014 as the world No 51 and narrowly missing out on sealing a first Masters appearance, Fleetwood’s slow start to the season, where he’s yet to post a top-20 finish, means only a Trophee Hassan II victory will be enough for Augusta.
Graham DeLaet (world No 67) - Despite top-ten finishes in Phoenix and at the Northern Trust Open, the Canadian looks likely to need a maiden PGA Tour victory in Texas to return to Augusta.
Marcel Siem (world No 68) – Two years on from winning in Morocco only to miss out on Augusta after results on the PGA Tour saw him drop to 51st, the German can secure a Masters debut with a fourth European Tour title.
George Coetzee (world No 69) – The South African missed the cut in his only previous Augusta appearance in 2013, but can book a second visit if he follows up this month’s Tshwane Open title with another Africa success this week.
Ross Fisher (world No 71) – Victory in Morocco could move Fisher as high as 48th in the world rankings depending on performances elsewhere, although may still not be enough to guarantee a fifth appearance at Augusta.
In the mix
Paul Casey isn’t in this week’s field, but the world No 49 will have the opportunity to book an eighth Masters appearance with a strong display in Houston. Anirban Lahiri and Bernd Wiesberger appear on course for Augusta debuts after impressive starts to 2015 leave them 35th and 41st respectively, while world No 43 Branden Grace should retain the top 50 ranking required for a third trip to Georgia in as many years.
Victory in Texas or Houston would be enough for those on the PGA Tour to automatically receive a Masters invite, with Honda Classic runner-up Daniel Berger, Valspar Championship play-off loser Sean O'Hair and America’s Nick Watney among the long list of hopefuls.
Watch the Trophee Hassan II and the Valero Texas Open this week live on Sky Sports 4 – your home of golf