Another US {golfing} nice misses out on a Masters place after Texas Open disaster

The Valero Texas Open finished its second round on Friday, which spelled the end to a few last-chance bids to compete in The Masters next week.

Some players were unable to make the cut after two rounds – leading to their long shot hopes of playing at Augusta National being dashed.

Among the most notable names is former Team USA Ryder Cup winner Rickie Fowler, who will not be at Augusta for the fifth time in the past six years.

Fowler, who came runner-up to Patrick Reed at the 2018 edition of The Masters, has been through a rough patch in his career – missing nine of the past 21 majors.

The 37-year-old California native needed to win the Texas Open in order to book a flight to Georgia. But Fowler hasn’t logged a victory on the PGA Tour since his triumph at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit in 2023.

In San Antonio, he opened with a two-under-par 70 in his first round. But he followed that up with a three-over-par 75 in the second round to miss the cut.

Former Team USA Ryder Cup winner Rickie Fowler will not participate in The Masters

Fowler needed to win the Valero Texas Open to qualify, but missed the cut entirely

Tony Finau is among the other notable absences from the field at Augusta National next week

Fowler is not the only one who missed the cut at the Texas Open when in need of a win to reach The Masters.

South Korean star Tom Kim also required a victory, but instead missed the cut. He’ll be absent from Augusta National for the first time in his professional career.

Others who will be missing out on the tournament include Tony Finau, who will not be in the field at Augusta for the first time since 2018.

Chilean LIV golf star Joaquin Niemann will also be out after five straight Masters made.

There are also a pair of former Masters winners who will not be in the field this year. Phil Mickelson revealed that he’d be skipping this year’s tournament ‘as my family continues to navigate a personal health matter.’

Additionally, Tiger Woods will be out of the tournament as he deals with the fallout of a car crash and his subsequent arrest for alleged DUI. Woods released a statement, saying he is ‘stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health.’

Through 36 holes, Scotsman Robert MacIntyre is leading the field by four strokes at 14-under par at TPC San Antonio.