The Masters: Why is there no women’s version of golf’s most iconic tournament?

The Masters is the most iconic tournament in golf –– so why is there still no professional women’s version of the event? 

Indeed, three of golf’s four major tournaments –– the US Open, the British Open and the PGA Championship have long-held equivalent male and female competitions but the Masters is still yet to follow suit. 

As reported by Golf Monthly, a Women’s Masters has not been officially ruled out by Augusta National but a professional tournament for female players does not appear to be in the works. 

So for now, we’re no closer to seeing the likes of Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko teeing off the first in Georgia. Here are some of the main reasons why: 

Augusta National Golf Club was opened for play in 1932 and has held the annual Masters Tournament since 1934. 

For many years the club was made up exclusively of men and it took until 2012 before Augusta finally announced its first female members –– Condoleeza Rice and Darla Moore. 

Former chairman Billy Payne described this as a “proud moment, [and] a significant and positive time in our club’s history,” yet membership in general is still rarely discussed. 

There had been plans to open a ladies’ course within the first decade of the club being open but the great depression resulted in financial struggles, which led to the idea being scrapped. 

Perhaps the main reason why a professional women’s tournament has not generated more discussion is because Augusta has placed an emphasis on valuing the amateur game. 

In 2019, the club introduced a 54-hole strokeplay event called the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. 

At the time, chairman Fred Ridley said: “Augusta National was co-founded by the greatest amateur of all time [Bobby Jones]. 

Anna Davis wins the 2022 Augusta