In addition, The R&A has also confirmed their intention to retain the 2026 Investec South African Open as part of The Open Qualifying Series (OQS) for The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale. The national Open will now be the direct pathway into two of the most iconic Majors in golf for Sunshine Tour members. In a separate statement to that of the R&A and Augusta National Golf Club, Sunshine Tour commissioner Thomas Abt said the development is a strong endorsement of the Tour’s value and a recognition as a valuable member in the global golf ecosystem. “This is an historic moment for both our national Open and the Sunshine Tour. It is a powerful endorsement of the Sunshine Tour’s status as a strong and sustainable Tour, and further recognition of our role as a valued member of the global golf ecosystem and at the highest level of the game. “As a Tour we have always been focused on representing the entire depth of our 250-strong membership and giving our members the best possible opportunities, through increased prize money on our Tour, more playing opportunities, the ability to showcase their talent and our game through our local and international broadcast platforms, and a global pathway onto the biggest stages such as the Majors through our Strategic Alliance with the DP World Tour and PGA Tour. This announcement is the exact representation of our belief that greatness begins here, on the Sunshine Tour. “Whether it’s playing on the DP World Tour or PGA Tour, competing in the Majors, or representing South Africa in the Presidents Cup or the Olympic Games, the Sunshine Tour is a Tour of opportunity where our members can truly live out their biggest dreams for their careers,” said Abt. Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament said: “The Masters Tournament has long recognised the significance of having international representation among its invitees. 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.” R&A chief executive Mark Darbon added: “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.”