US Masters: Johnson regret over champion absentees
Augusta National chairman Hootie Johnson today said he regretted that 1967 winner Gay Brewer did not attend the Masters champions dinner on Tuesday night after being asked not to play this year.
Brewer, Doug Ford and Billy Casper had received letters in January asking them to withdraw from the tournament after failing to make a single halfway cut between them since 1987.
‘‘I regret when someone, anyone, is not comfortable here,’’ said Johnson when questioned about Brewer’s decision to stay away from the dinner.
But when asked if he also regretted sending out the letters - Ford said he thought a telephone call would have been better - Johnson responded: ‘‘I don’t look back.’’
However, by next year’s event a policy will be in place which is likely to change the lifetime exemption currently given to champions.
Whether it is based on performance rather than age remains to be seen, especially with Arnold Palmer not having made a cut since 1983, yet still such a popular figure with the galleries.
‘‘We made these decisions based on what we thought was in the best interests of the tournament,’’ added Johnson.
‘‘But there was some ambiguity and we intend to make it clear in the future. We will have a formal policy so there is no misunderstanding.’’
The Open championship allows winners to continue playing until they are 66, while the US Open gives only a 10-year exemption.
The US PGA still offers lifetime exemptions, although it does not attract the ‘‘golden oldies’’ like the Masters does.
