Should the Masters be a Major

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Should the Masters be a Major


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What, like those esteemed Open Championship venues?

Fair point, I think there are Open venues there that should also have their status questioned. I don't want to ignore the rich history of certain clubs but exclusivity based on any supposed rationale is weakening for the game.
 
Since the consequences of it being, or not being, a major are nil does it matter? It's in your own mind whether it is or not. I will always regard it as a major because of the spectacle that it is and the fact that, if it were not a major, there is no serious other contender.
 
Absolutely yes.

For me its the best major. Its the first biggee of the year and its a magical place steeped in history with so many great holes and drama over the years.

I think the question should be " Should the US PGA be a major"
 
I quite like the 15 year suggestion. However that would mean Weir would be in as he won in '03

As for Vijay, he made the cut last year. O'Meara not only made the cut, he came T22! Langer missed the cut by a shot, Woosnam only by 3. These guys do bring their A game to pretty much the only big event they get to each year and they beat a lot of the up and comers.

Personally I'd say if you're not playing on an active Tour, be that Seniors, PGA, European etc... then that's when you should just be turning up to show off your jackets and have a crack at the par 3.

Immelman's been mentioned a couple of times yet he'd still qualify for all 3 of the other majors were he a champion in them. Regardless of how he is playing.
 
The masters is OK, but making stuff up and calling it a tradition is stupid.
 
Voted yes but have some sympathy with the OP's view.

However it's *now* such a mainstay of the season that it can't be downgraded to a regular tour event in my view.

Should it ever have attained its status? Don't know as I don't understand the contemporary position in the game at the time it became a big deal.

All I do know is that for me it's "must watch" and heralds the season kicking off, with all of its possibilities stretched out before me.

This time next year, Rodney...
 
Yes although it needs to be updated. There needs to be a limit for the ex-winners and in all honesty most are taking places that could go to players that would/should be more competitive. Have a veteran event on the Wednesday before the par three (or earlier in the week) over eighteen holes if they want the patrons to see them play. They need to revisit who they invite or how they field qualifies.

As for the venue and the week itself, leave well alone. Once it starts on the Thursday its golf heaven
 
Yes, it's got so much history and is so firmly ensconced in the golfing psyche that it couldn't be removed. However I do agree with many of the arguments against and would prefer to see a more meritocratic set of entry criteria.
 
The field is the field and the coffin dodgers just add to it....they don't take the place of anyone. To many choppers (Poulter et al) allowed into other Majors as it is, do they manage to keep their 'artificial' rankings as it is.....

The Masters is the best tournament outside of The Open....the course is by far the best they play all year....by miles......
 
Hold the Press, Philly said it shouldn't be a Major.

Well that will be it knocked of the Major list now then........
 
No. It's great viewing, and would remain a spectacle that the pros would want to play in, and the viewers would want to watch, but it's a glorified invitational, with the weakest field of all the majors.
It should also be given grief for the ridiculous rules on broadcasting. Seriously, a global sporting event dictating to the TV companies. It's pathetic. Imagine a Wimbledon final that didn't show the first two sets.

As usual, Murph has got it spot on.
I think that the biggest part of it's appeal is that it heralds the start of the golfing season for the majority of the "great unwashed".
Perfectly manicured fairways, glorious sunshine, not a hint of breeze. It truly is a sight to behold.
Play it in howling winds, peeing rain, players wrapped up in waterproofs etc. and I bet it would lose a lot of that appeal.
And as much as they deserve their accolades for past achievements, watching the likes of Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer hobbling around on zimmer frames, shooting in the 90's and "competing in a Major" makes a mockery of the term "Major".

A definite NO from me.
 
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Ive voted yes simply because it's my favourite tournament of the year. Ok, it would have to change certain entry criteria etc but I prefer it to the US open, not that I'm suggesting it should replace it.

HID is on a hen do from Friday to Sunday so I can happily wallow in as much as I want next week!
 
It's a big yes from me. Ok the occasional no name wins it, and that would never happen in the Open or US Open.... Or would it? Todd Hamilton and, the then unheard of, John Daly immediately spring to mind.

What about the selection process for the other 3 Majors? You can't say our own Open selects the best in the world by any stretch of the imagination.

And as was pointed out elsewhere, Tom Watson wouldn't have got so close to winning the Open a few years back if it wasn't for the past champions ticket.

Every single Major has a whole host of players you wouldn't have a bet on.

What about the course? It's way better than some of the rubbish the U.S. Open and PGA is played on. And dare I say Royal St George's, Hoylake and Turnberry are only average.



 
That might be because they are playing badly Brian, not because they are ready for the knackers yard.

And some might be mid table pro's who'll never be anything more than no name players. How often do we hear of a club pro from Wiscogie leading the U.S. PGA? Our own Open with international qualifiers held in various countries around the world turns up its fair share of dross.

If the criteria for the Masters needs an overhaul, then so does it for all of them. But in terms of adding something to the mix, the quirky selection process for each of the Majors is part of the buzz.
 
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