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Masters

Eugene YS Han defends the controversial invitational criteria that has become an annual talking point at The Masters.

‘Sex sells' is a popular culture catch-phrase whenever buxom babes or dashing men are used to market and sell merchandise.

But will this work in golf? In recent years, the Masters invitational criteria have been slammed by some for being based on commercial reasons rather than talent.

Just last year, Colin Montgomerie, who was overlooked for the 2008 Masters, publicly condemned the system because of marketing and TV reasons. Last year, Prayad Marksaeng, Jeev Milkha Singh and Liang Wen-Chong were given special invites. Monty was left out this year as well.

Eyebrows were again raised this year when 17-year-old Japanese rookie Ryo Ishikawa was given a special invite, just after he was also invited to take part in the Arnold Palmer Invitational last month. Nicknamed the ‘bashful prince', Ishikawa could give Brad Pitt a run for his money. But the difference between him and Brad Pitt is that the Japanese can play a bit of golf.

The Japanese media has followed the dashing Ishikawa ever since his 2007 Munsingwear Open KBS Cup win in the Japan Tour - as a 15-year-old amateur. It made him the youngest winner of any professional event in the golfing world.

After turning pro in 2008, Ishikawa has won three more times, finished the 2008 season 5th on the Japan Tour's money list, and became the youngest player to break into the world's top 100.

Thai ace Marksaeng will be playing in his second Masters but he has qualified outright this year to earn an invite. He came from behind to finish second place at the Black Mountain Masters last week thanks a dramatic final round revival.

Also flying the flag for Asia will be Jeev Milkha Singh who won his second Order of Merit title on the Asian Tour in 2008. Joining Singh will be Lin Wen-tang of Chinese-Taipei and South Korea's KJ Choi and YE Yang.

Although I can't deny the fact that some of the invitees command interest from markets halfway around the world from Augusta, the fact remains that they are talented enough.

So while Tiger Woods goes for his 15^th major victory, some of these golfers will just be glad enough to make the cut and post respectable scores. But they will be mindful that upsets can happen at the Masters - for upsets read Zach Johnson and Trevor Immelman. A great performance could also go a long way to inspiring the next generation of potential golfers watching their heroes on screen.

The presence of the invitees may help to generate more TV and polo tees sales, but what these golfers will have done is to break down the barriers around a fiercely traditional golf tournament - one stroke at a time.

Sex sells but talent sells better.