Masters Chairman Billy Payne announces qualification changes

Billy Payne, the Augusta Na­tional Golf Club and Mas­ters Tournament chairman, announced changes Wednes­day that could make it tougher to qualify for the 2014 Masters.

At his annual news conference, Payne said the top 12 finishers and ties from this year’s Masters will be exempt into the 2014 event. In previous years, the tournament took the top 16 and ties.

Masters officials also halved the number of qualifiers from the U.S. Open, dropping the number to the top four and ties – the same number as the British Open and PGA Championship.

Additionally, the Masters is eliminating the exemption for the top 30 PGA Tour money leaders at the end of the year, a change that would have affected none of the players in this year’s field.

Payne also announced the expansion of the cut number. Starting this year, the low 50 and ties, and anyone within 10 shots of the lead, will remain after two rounds. Since 1962, the cut has included the low 44 and ties.

One of the big topics in golf is the proposed anchored putting stroke ban by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club and the U.S. Golf Asso­cia­tion. The Masters is the lone major that hasn’t been won using a long putter or an anchored stroke. Payne didn’t offer an opinion on the proposed ban.

“We’re not a governing body. We’re a golf club that puts on a tournament,” he said. “We hope and believe common ground will be achieved so that one set of rules governs golf.”

Payne talked briefly about new Augusta National members Darla Moore and Condo­leezza Rice, the club’s first female members. He said he’s excited to have them on board working the tournament with the rest of the membership.

“These two ladies are very special. It’s just been delightful,” Payne said. “I hope they’re having as much fun as we are.”