The Masters: Players in need of Shell Houston Open victory to qualify for Augusta

By Ali Stafford

Image: Johnston has never previously played the Masters

This week’s Shell Houston Open offers one final opportunity for PGA Tour players to secure a last-minute invite to the Masters.

Some 94 players are exempt to play in the opening major of the year, live on Sky Sports, with the last place in the field going to the player topping the leaderboard in Houston.

Image: Spieth has never finished outside of the top-two at Augusta

Many of this week's line-up are already secure of a spot at Augusta, including former Masters champions Jordan Spieth and Adam Scott, but plenty of high-profile names are still not certain of a major appearance next week.

Three of the last four Houston winners have all booked a late Masters berth as a result, with last year's champion Jim Herman following on from Matt Jones in 2014 and D.A Points in 2013. Here's a look at some of the players in need of a win this week to reach Augusta...

Image: Herman claimed a one-shot win in last year's event

There are already a record-breaking 11 Englishmen in the Augusta field, with Andrew "Beef" Johnston and Luke Donald both looking to make it an English dozen with a victory this week.

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Johnston was a late entry into the event after a top-10 in Puerto Rico last week, while former world No 1 Donald is looking to book a 12th Masters appearance having failed to feature last year.

Charles Howell III is the highest-ranked player not already in next week's field, with the world No 64 heading to Houston off the back of a last-16 finish at last week's WGC-Dell Technology Match Play.

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The American hasn't missed a cut in eight starts so far this year and finished joint runner-up at the Farmers Insurance Open, but hasn't reached the winner's circle since 2007.

2014 FedExCup champion Billy Horschel finished inside the top 20 at Augusta last time around, although needs a first win since the 2014 Tour Championship this week to avoid a first missed Masters in four years.

Keegan Bradley's five-year major exemption for winning the 2011 PGA Championship is over, while winning Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III - who fired a hole-in-one during last year's event - isn't on the list to feature.

Image: Bradley finished tied-52nd in last year's event

Recent Houston champions Matt Jones and Jim Herman need to repeat their success if they're to return to Augusta this time around, while three-time Ryder Cup player Hunter Mahan looks set to miss his first Masters since 2007 after sliding down the world rankings.

2014 Masters runner-up Jonas Blixt is another searching for a season-changing win this week, with Tony Finau and former major champion Stewart Cink also in need of victory.

Watch the Shell Houston Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf

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