The Link Hong Kong Open, one of the Asian Tour’s signature tournaments, is no stranger to receiving awards.

However, it has now received one of its ultimate accolades following a joint announcement by Augusta National Golf Club and The R&A yesterday.

As a result of ‘plans to align aspects of the qualification criteria for the Masters Tournament and The Open’, the winner of the Link Hong Kong Open will receive an invitation to play in both Majors.

This begins immediately and also applies to the National Opens of Australia, Japan, Scotland, Spain and South Africa.

Said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour: “This is a phenomenal announcement which is tremendously important to our members and the Asian region.

“The Link Hong Kong Open has been one of the pillars of the Asian Tour over many decades. The recognition from Augusta National Golf Club and The R&A naming them as a gateway event to their illustrious Major Championships acknowledges the heritage and stature of the tournament in Asia.

Rory McIlroy celebrates winning this year’s Masters to complete the career Grand Slam. Picture by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images.

“We are extremely thankful the two bodies recognise the rising level of talent of professional golf in Asia by providing this incredibly important pathway.”

The news is also a tremendous development for The International Series as the Link Hong Kong Open, won last year by American Patrick Reed, is part of the Series.

The development adds to The R&A’s enormously successful Open Qualifying Series, which began in 2013, and ensures strong international pathways into both Majors from several professional tours, recognising the global strength of elite professional golf.

“The Masters Tournament has long recognised the significance of having international representation among its invitees,” said Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament. “We, along with The R&A, have a shared commitment to the global game and are proud to work together. Today’s announcement strengthens our organisations’ collective vision of rewarding top talent around the world who rise to the top of historic national open championships. We hope this formal recognition shines a bright light on these players and the events they will represent at the Masters and The Open, beginning next year.”

The qualification criteria for the 2026 Masters Tournament can be found here. The schedule for The Open Qualifying Series and the list of exemptions for The 154th Open will be announced in September. Qualifying starts later this year through 15 events in 13 countries.

Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A said, “We take great pride in the range of qualification routes we offer to players around the world through The Open Qualifying Series. We share the same goal as Augusta National to offer places in both The Open and the Masters to players competing in national opens and by doing so to help to showcase and strengthen our sport in those regions. This creates an outstanding opportunity for players in all parts of the world to qualify and we firmly believe this will continue to enrich the quality of the fields in both major championships.”

Next year’s Masters will be played from 9-12 April, while The 154th Open will be held from 16-19 July at Royal Birkdale.