US Open champion Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from The Masters, the year’s first Major that sees South African Dylan Frittelli among the invitees.
Frittelli was one of four players added to the select field after the final week to seal a place by virtue of the world rankings.
The former Texas University star joins Branden Grace, Louis Oosthuizen and a pair of former winners Charl Schwartzel and Trevor Immelman in the field.
Satoshi Kodaira (Japan), Chez Reavie (USA), and Cameron Smith (Australia) all joined the two-time European Tour winner in the list of 86 for this year’s event. One spot remains should a non-qualified player win the Houston Open. Kodaira and Frittelli have been inside the top 50 since January and held on to punch their ticket while Reavie has been in tremendous form in early 2018.
The American finished second at the Phoenix Open and again at Pebble Beach to make his return to The Masters for the first time in six years after finishing last week just two spots inside the top 50.
Australian Smith snuck into the field on the back of his strong showing at the Dell Match Play. His gain was Ian Poulter’s pain after the Englishman was incorrectly told that he’d done enough to qualify for The Masters. The Ryder Cup star saw off Louis Oosthuizen in the round of 16 but was steamrolled by eventual runner-up Kevin Kisner. In truth, Poulter needed to advance from that encounter to qualify inside the top 50.
He joins countryman Lee Westwood and a host of former participants including Jim Furyk, Brandt Snedeker, Bill Haas, Steve Stricker and South African legend Ernie Els on the sidelines next week.
‘It’s not an excuse or any form of a factor but it is a little disappointing,’ Poulter said. ‘I asked three or four times if people were sure. The next time, I won’t listen to other people, I will do my bit and focus on that.’
Koepka has confirmed that he will miss the trip to Augusta due to his ongoing struggles with a wrist injury. The Erin Hills champion suffered a partial tear to his tendon in his left wrist in January but was expected to recover in time for the Major starting on 5 April.
