[A.A. Cunningham]

I am certain someone at Augusta will get word to him the Masters in an INVITATIONAL tournament.

I'm certain that eventually you'll discover that, as a past winner, Woods has a lifetime invitation to play in the Masters. That's only one of the many benefits awarded to a winner.

[edpc]

It's a tradition, not a guarantee. You get a membership jacket, but you can't take it home. It has to stay on the premises. You also get an honorary membership to the club. Ask Tom Watson what happens when you show up at the club and want to play any other time than Masters week.

Until 1999, players winning a PGA event were invited to play in The Masters the following year. They changed that qualifier, then re-instated it for the 2008 tournament. It's a private club completely independent to the PGA.

If the decided to rescind the standing invitation (which I doubt), it's unlikely you'd hear any outcry from the field. Sports writers (other than CBS), sure.....but not the tour players.