Second major start beckons for Higa

If all goes well, reigning JGTO prize money king Kazuki Higa could earn himself another ticket to the Major tournament.

After getting invited to the Masters Tournament at the famed Augusta National from April 6-9, Higa is also in line to qualify also for the PGA Championship which will be held at the Oak Hill East Course from May 18-21.

This comes following the recent announcement on February 8 that the PGA Championship has included a new exemption category which qualifies the top three players on the newly launched International Federation Ranking List to the US$15,000,000 showpiece.

The top three placers as of the April 24 ranking list will get to play in the second Major of the year.

As it stands, Higa, the world number 78, is currently the highest-ranked player on the list followed by South African Shaun Norris of the Sunshine Tour (147h) and Asian Tour's Sihwan Kim of the United States (216th) in second and third respectively.

The OWGR has said that the International Federation Ranking List was meant to help tournament organisers recognise competitive and upcoming international players competing on the Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia, and the Sunshine Tour.

The International Federation Ranking List comprises of 10 players from each Tour’s Order of Merit, ranked according to their OWGR.

For a start, the number one ranked player from each of the previous season-ending Order of Merits will occupy the top four positions of the International Federation Ranking List to provide emphasis on each player’s accomplishment.

The remaining 36 positions shall contribute further players according to their position in the relevant Order of Merit and OWGR.