How Many People Play in the Masters Golf Tournament?

By Emma Wilson · September 12, 2026

The Masters Tournament does not involve a fixed number of players each year, but typically around 90 golfers compete. The exact number varies annually based on qualification criteria set by Augusta National Golf Club.

Understanding the Masters Tournament Field Size

The Masters is one of the four major championships in professional golf and is held annually at Augusta National Golf Club in April. Unlike regular PGA Tour events, which often have fields of 156 players, the Masters maintains a smaller, more exclusive field.

Why the Number of Players Varies

The field size is invitation-only, determined by strict eligibility rules.
Augusta National issues invitations based on performance, past achievements, and special exemptions.
Some qualifiers may withdraw due to injury or personal reasons, reducing the final count.

Eligibility Criteria for Playing in the Masters

Players earn entry through a detailed set of guidelines published by Augusta National. These include:

Primary Qualification Categories

Winners of the previous five Masters Tournaments
Winners of the last five U.S. Opens, The Open Championships, and PGA Championships
Top 50 point leaders in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) as of specific dates
Top finishers in the previous year’s PGA Tour FedEx Cup standings
Winners of designated PGA Tour events since the prior Masters
Amateur champions such as the U.S. Amateur and British Amateur winners
Special invitations at the discretion of the club chairman

Year	Total Players	Made Cut	Withdrew/Did Not Start	Notable Changes
2025	89	55	3	One amateur withdrew pre-tournament
2024	90	53	2	All major champions participated
2023	89	51	4	Increase in international qualifiers
2022	96	54	6	Larger field due to pandemic adjustments
2021	88	50	5	Reduced capacity post-COVID
2019	94	55	4	Tiger Woods' defending champion status

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows that the Masters field has averaged approximately 91 players over the past six tournaments. The 2022 edition had an unusually high count due to carryover eligibility from pandemic-related changes. Since then, the field has stabilized near 90 participants, with most years seeing between 3 and 6 players withdrawing before or during the event.

How the Cut Line Affects Active Players

After 36 holes, the Masters enforces a cut rule: only the top 50 players (including ties) continue to the weekend rounds. This means that although about 90 start, fewer than 60 typically play all four days.

Recent Cut Statistics

2025: 55 players made the cut at +4 or better
2024: 53 advanced after a tight leaderboard
2023: Cut fell at +6, allowing 51 to continue

Frequently Asked Questions About the Masters Golf Tournament

How many people play in the Masters golf tournament?

Typically, around 88 to 90 players compete in the Masters each year, though the exact number varies slightly based on qualifications and withdrawals.

Who decides who plays in the Masters?

The selection is managed by Augusta National Golf Club, specifically its chairman, who issues invitations according to established criteria including past wins, world rankings, and special recognition.

Do all invited players actually compete?

No, some invited players may decline or withdraw due to injury, scheduling conflicts, or personal reasons. Typically 2–4 players do not start despite receiving invitations.

How many amateurs play in the Masters?

Usually 3 to 5 amateurs are invited each year, primarily winners of major amateur championships like the U.S. Amateur and The Amateur Championship.

Has the Masters ever had a larger field?

Yes, in certain years—such as 2022—the field expanded to 96 due to extended eligibility from pandemic disruptions. However, the standard target remains around 90 players.