Which players need to win the Valero Texas Open to qualify for The Masters?
There are many players in the field at the Valero Texas Open this week who are yet to book their tickets to The Masters, and there are some big names.
The Masters returns to the PGA Tour next week, but first, there are a number of players who need to take care of business at the Valero Texas Open.
Jordan Spieth is the reigning champion of the event held at TPC San Antonio, but as a past champion of The Masters, he is already on the entry list at Augusta National.
The Valero Texas Open is often used as the last opportunity for players to qualify for the chance to win the Green Jacket. There are some recognisable players who are yet to qualify.
Richard Bland is the highest-ranked player in the world not to be in the field. He lost in the last-16 at the WGC Match Play last week to Dustin Johnson. Had he beaten Johnson, he'd have qualified automatically.
Related: Jordan Spieth has the Masters on his mind at Valero Texas Open
The World No.53, who is a one-time winner on the DP World Tour, halved with Bryson DeChambeau and beat Lee Westwood last week to advance to the knockout stage at Austin Country Club.
After playing on the Challenge Tour in 2019, Bland has peaked at the age of 49 and it would be incredible to see him win the Valero Texas Open to make his debut at Augusta National.
Ian Poulter, who is ranked No.67 in the world, has been in this position before and performed when it mattered. He beat Beau Hossler in a playoff to win the Houston Open in 2018 to book his place at the first major of the year.
Poulter has been as high as fifth in the world rankings in his career and he was three wins on the PGA Tour. He will tee it up with J.J. Spaun and Chesson Hadley in Thursday's first-round at TPC San Antonio.
Another player who is likely to miss out unless he wins this week is Rickie Fowler. Fowler failed to qualify for The Masters and the US Open in 2021.
Fowler, who has won five times on the PGA Tour, has experienced one of the largest falls from grace in recent memory. He is ranked 130th in the world and is winless for three years.
The 33-year-old finished second at The Masters in 2018 and fifth in 2014, but he now needs his sixth tour win to return to Georgia in 2022.
Keegan Bradley, Henrik Stenson, Graeme McDowell and Matt Wallace are other notable names in Texas this week looking to qualify for The Masters.
