Why doesn't the Masters Golf Tournament allow more players?

Question

If it is truly a major it should have a full field of 156 player like all the other majors. These cronies in Augusta are controlling this.

Answer 1

becuase it is for the elite of the elite of the elite! and it is a reward for players who have played to their ultimate best who deserve to go there for their chance and that green jacket!!! It is also considered a privilege to be invited to the masters and is seen as an achievement in itself, its like the grand national, wimbledon, monaco grand prix, lords, its a special place

Answer 2

Why must a major have 156 players in the field?  What is so magical about that number?  I mean, really, you make zero sense.

The elite players of golf comprise, really, about the top 100 players in the world...perhaps the top 85.  These are "The Masters" of the game.

Once you get out of the top 100 (and heaven forbid the top 125) you're really dealing with journeymen and struggling nobodies.  Why should they be allowed into a "major" championship?

Answer 3

The Masters is not the only tournament with a limited field:

Mercedes-Benz Championship 33

World Golf Championship-Match Play 64

Arnold Palmer Invitational 120

World Golf Champ.-CA Championship 74

The Masters 100

Crowne Plaza Inv. At Colonial 110

The Memorial 105

World Golf Champ.-Bridgestone Inv. 73

The Barclays 144

Deutsche Bank Championship 120

BMW Championship 70

The Tour Championship 30

Answer 4

This is what makes this tournament truly unique.The Masters Tournament Committee selects the best professional and amateur golfers that meet certain criteria (top 50 in world rankings, top 50 in PGA earnings, US Amateur winner, British Amateur winner, US Mid-Amateur winner, I believe there are actually 17 ways to qualify) plus special invitations and past winners. This years field is limited to 93 players. It just makes for a smoother running, more efficient tournament that all seek to play in.

Answer 5

Its not called the Open or "really good golfers"it is called the "Masters" so the field should be smaller

The tournament belongs to Augusta, why shouldn't they control it

They give you the best tournament with the least commercials every year, because they control that too.

Answer 6

It's not an open event.  It's an invitational event.

Answer 7

tradition

Answer 8

It was never supposed to be a "major".  It was just an invitational set up by Bobby Jones.  Although, the tournament started in 1934, it was not recognized as a major until the 50's.

The invitational nature has permitted them to continue to invite amateurs in honor of America's greatest amateur athlete of all time, Bobby Jones.