The excitement is building as the Masters Tournament approaches, with an array of golfers outside the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking keen to secure their spots. This week, during the Texas Children’s Houston Open, they have two golden opportunities: win the tournament or secure a coveted place within the top 50 in the world rankings. Among the notable players chasing these goals are Rickie Fowler, Jake Knapp, Si Woo Kim, Michael Kim, and Ben Griffin, each with their own path to Augusta, where the legendary Masters will unfold from April 10 to 13.
First up is Rickie Fowler, a perennial contender at Augusta National in the past, having finished runner-up in 2018 and achieving four top-12 finishes there during a six-year span. Unfortunately, Fowler has struggled in recent years, finding himself ranked No. 105 in the OWGR. He has played only one Masters in the past five years and feels the pressure mounting. “I need to play better on the real golf course to work on that,” said Fowler, reflecting on the need for improvement. With the stakes high this week, he said, “Maybe a win (this) week might give me some momentum to go win a tournament.” If he doesn’t crack the top 50 by the tournament's conclusion, Fowler could still find redemption by winning the Valero Texas Open the following week, which he has committed to play.
Jake Knapp is on a similar quest, seeking a repeat trip to the Masters after qualifying last year with a victory in Mexico. Currently sitting at No. 85, Knapp has a challenging road ahead—but he might still slip into the Masters with a stellar showing. “Making it to the Masters is definitely in the back of my mind,” Knapp acknowledged. He needs at least a runner-up finish in Houston to significantly enhance his OWGR standing. Knapp had some solid finishes earlier in the season, including a T6 at the Cognizant Classic and T12 at THE PLAYERS Championship before missing the cut last week.
Then, there’s Si Woo Kim, who has flown under the radar in terms of major championships. Ranked No. 66 in the OWGR, Kim has missed only one major in the last eight years, but he now stands on the brink of missing out on the Masters. He needs to finish solo third or better in Houston to keep his hopes alive. “Every shot counts in these events,” Kim said, emphasizing the pressure to perform. His best finish at Memorial Park came last year when he soloed 17th, but he knows he needs to improve upon that to earn his spot in Augusta.
Michael Kim has turned heads this year after starting the season as No. 156 in the world and skyrocketing to No. 52 thanks to a hot streak of consistent performances. With five straight top-15 finishes, including a T6 at the Cognizant Classic, Kim is proving to be a contender. He commented on the technical changes he made earlier in the year: “Working with Sean Foley and learning a thing or two from Joe Mayo really boosted my performance.” Michael knows he must finish within the top 50 this week in Houston if he wants to maintain his upward trajectory.
Lastly, we have Ben Griffin, who has yet to play in the Masters but finds himself tantalizingly close to earning a spot. Currently at No. 53, Griffin needs at least a solo 28th finish this week. Despite missing the cut in his last two starts, he has also enjoyed a commendable T7 finish at The American Express and T4s at both the Mexico Open and the Cognizant Classic. “I know what I need to do to earn that Masters invite,” he said, clearly understanding the magnitude of the challenge ahead.
The Texas Children’s Houston Open is set to take place from March 27 to 30, a crucial event on the PGA Tour calendar as these golfers strive for their chance at the prestigious Masters Tournament. One victory or high finish could dramatically change the course of their careers, granting them access to one of golf's most coveted events.
As the countdown to the Masters continues, the performances at Memorial Park could shape the narrative of the tournament for these up-and-coming players. Every shot will undeniably count, since their dreams of playing at Augusta hinge upon successful outcomes in the coming days. The anticipation is electric, and golf fans can’t wait to see how this week unfolds.
