Who Isn't Playing in The 2025 Masters

For any golfer, an invitation to compete in the Masters Tournament is the most coveted letter to be received through your letterbox, but it takes a special achievement or consistent performance at the highest level to merit one.

Typically welcoming under 100 golfers each year to Augusta National, the first major of the season has - by far - the smallest field of the greatest championships, which makes being part of the tournament a milestone achievement for all players.

Invites are sent to former champions (who remain eligible for life), major winners of the past five years, top amateurs, those recently successful on the PGA Tour, and golfers who are inside the top 50 in the world rankings.

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Because of the elite nature of the field, some notable names don't make that drive down Magnolia Lane each April, and here are some players who will not be striding these most iconic of fairways in 2025.

Past Champions

2009 winner Angel Cabrera hasn't competed in the Masters since 2019 following his imprisonment on domestic violence charges, but after his release in 2023, the Argentine will make a return this year, while two-time champion Bernhard Langer missed his planned farewell appearance last April, but had to defer that by 12 months after tearing his Achilles tendon. However, the 67-year-old will participate one last time in 2025. 

Somewhat ironically, five-time champion Tiger Woods will not be part of the field after suffering a similar injury as the German. Woods, who last competed in a PGA Tour event at the Open in July, sadly won't be making a 27th appearance as he recovers from surgery.

LIV Golfers

The US Open and Open will have an exemption category for LIV golfers this year, while the PGA Championship invites whoever they like, but the Masters hasn't yet created a specific criteria for those playing on the controversial circuit.

Leading player Joaquin Niemann has received a special invitation and will be a potential contender for the Green Jacket, but the likes of Sebastian Munoz, Dean Burmester, David Puig, Adrian Meronk, Abraham Ancer and Lucas Herbert (who all currently sit inside LIV's top 10) won't be at Augusta.

PGA Tour Winners

Following several years away, Rickie Fowler made it back to the Masters in 2024, but the fan-favourite former Players Championship winner hasn't qualified for an invitation this time.

Other PGA Tour winners, including Emiliano Grillo, Lee Hodges, Jake Knapp, Luke List, Peter Malnati, Erik van Rooyen, Camilo Villegas, Si Woo Kim and Taylor Moore were all in the field last year, but haven't yet secured an invitation in 2025, while Stephan Jager isn't yet officially there but should claim a place through the world rankings.

Other Notables

The PGA Tour Rookie of the Year for 2023, Eric Cole made the cut on his Masters debut but hasn't qualified this year, while former BMW PGA Championship winner Ryan Fox and popular Canadian Adam Hadwin were part of the field last time but are also likely to be watching at home on their TVs.

Former Major Champions

As he continues to rediscover his best form after brain surgery in 2023, Gary Woodland unfortunately won't be making a 13th Masters appearance as his exemption for winning the 2019 US Open at Pebble Beach has now expired.

One of the most likeable golfers on the PGA Tour, many will be keen to see Woodland make his way back to Augusta National in the near future.

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