Masters Tournament, here I come!

Reigning money title winner Kazuki Higa could not have asked for a better start to the new season.

Thanks to his exploits last year, the 27-year-old has earned a dream start in this year's Masters Tournament, to be held at the famed Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, United States from April 6-9.

Higa, now the world number 68, was one of the two golfers being extended a special invitation to play in the 87th edition of the prestigious event, which he gladly accepted.

The other player was American Gordon Sargent, who is the reigning National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) individual champion.

Higa's inclusion makes it two Japanese representatives in the tournament field as Hideki Matsuyama has already been exempted by virtue of being the 2021 edition winner.

Higa, whose standout season on the 2022 JGTO season included four victories, said it is a dream come true for him to be teeing up at the Augusta National and has vowed to justify his selection with a strong showing.

"That's a piece of very pleasant news at the start of the year!" said an elated Higa, who will be making his second major championship appearance after missing the cut in his debut at The Open in last year's July.

"It's surreal. The joy that I got upon receiving the invitation was very special indeed.  It's been a lifelong dream of mine to play at the Augusta. 

"All these years I could only watch the tournament on TV, but now I'll be part of it!

"I'm relishing the tough course setting at the Augusta, and since I have the opportunity to participate, I would like to prepare well so that I can produce good results."

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said in a statement on Thursday: "The Masters Tournament prioritises opportunities to elevate both amateur and professional golf around the world.

"Thus, we have extended invitations to two deserving players not otherwise qualified. Whether on the international stage or at the elite amateur level, each player has showcased their talent in the past year. We look forward to hosting them at Augusta National in April."

Higa has proven that it pays to excel on the JGTO as his outstanding results had opened the door to many more opportunities for him in 2023.

Just three weeks ago, Higa had just also earned an invitation to play in the PGA Tour's Sony Open in Hawaii from Jan 12-15.

The spot was given by Sony, the tournament's title sponsor, to Higa, by virtue of being the highest-ranked Japanese on the Official World Golf Ranking.

He left for the US yesterday.

Higa is also slated to make several trips to Europe this year as he now holds a limited status on the DP World Tour.

The Japanese was one of the three beneficiaries along with Rikuya Hoshino and Aguri Iwasaki as a result of the new alliance formed by JGTO, PGA Tour and DP World Tour last month.

As part of the deal, from 2023 onwards the top three on the JGTO's season-ending money list will earn status to play on the DP World Tour for the following season.