Augusta, GA (Sports Network) - Ryo Ishikawa and Thaworn Wiratchant have
excepted invitations to play in this year's Masters according to Augusta
National chairman Billy Payne.
"Through our established qualifications, and invitations to select
international players not otherwise qualified, we historically bring together
a collection of the world's top players, and this year is no different,"
stated Payne. "The Masters has long established a tradition of supporting the
global game, and we were excited to extend invitations to Thaworn Wiratchant
and Ryo Ishikawa, who we hope will provide added interest and enthusiasm for
golf in Asia through their participation in the tournament."
With the addition of the two players, the Masters field currently stands at 85
players.
Ishikawa will being playing in his fifth straight Masters tournament. He has
missed the cut in three of his previous four appearances, but did tie for 20th
in 2011.
Wiratchant won last year's Order of Merit on the Asian Tour, and is also the
tour's all-time leader in victories. He will be making his first start at the
Masters, starting April 11.
The Sports Network