Camilo Villegas just fell short of getting an invitation to the masters by finishing 11th in the 2006 money list. I think he's had a great year so far and has displayed some great golf.
If you were Hootie and had the option of giving Camilo an invitation to play in the Masters would you do it or would you just let him stay off the field? Assuming that no one will be left out of the masters, so he wouldn't be taking anybody's place...
This is just a hypothetical question and I'm not trying to start any bashing... So, let me hear what you guys think!

He's credentials have grown in the last year where he went from no status on the nationwide tour to two seconds and a T3rd in the "5th major"....

Let's hear it...

Yes i would,
Camilo is a tremendous talent. and great for the game. this could be looked at like the special invitation granted to Lian wei shang the chinese player i believe 2 years ago already. we know that there have been some latin american players in the masters before but this would bring exposure to young latin americans all over. Camilo would bring an extra little excitement factor to the masters with his J.Lindeberg clothes, good looks, great game, and that likeability factor.



GOOsE

I'd certainly give him an invitation. He has great talent, and from what I've seen has shown that he shows himself very professionally.

Definetly, it will make for better television viewing. Also it opens the tournament to another country that might not have paid to much attention to it.

absolutly--- he is giving golf great exposure to his country and around the world.

Yes.

He is of the best new young stars and likewise it would bring in a huge television audience, giving people even more excitement watching the hours upon hours of USA's everboring broadcast.

wont happen
they wouldnt give one to monty last year there is no way they will give one to camilo this year, i woudl assume hes the first alternate so maybe if ames pulls out or someone else hes in, not quite sure if there are alternates in the Masters

Hootie should but unfortunately it probably wont happen. Camillo is great for golf and i hope he does

I would like to see Cam get an invite, but truth be told, I am afraid its all wishful thinking...... how would Hootie J take to Cam lying prone on the hallowed Augusta greens reading putts!

True, true. I think he is great for the game and definitely popular. But it wont happen, not with Hootie.

Hell no...

get there the way people have always got there...on their own.

don't think so ...
he has to earn it (un)fortunately ... tough situation ... should only
make him want it more ...

I would offer him an invitation only if he promised to quit dressing like a girl.

No I would not, but no worries, he'll earn his way their in the near future.

"The Masters Tournament reserves the right to invite foreign-born players, and there was talk, albeit highly speculative, that Villegas could still garner a trip to Augusta in two weeks."

This just came up on the PGA TOUR website... Does anyone know if that rule applies only to non-PGATOUR players or is it just for foreign born players? I do remember the case of the asian player that was invited, but not sure if only applies to other over sea tour players...

I like to see the different points of view, and they are all valid since they are personal opinions... lets keep the posts friendly

I grew up playing golf with Camilo and I was hoping he would make it on his own but came up just short... I wish Hootie would invite him, it would be exciting for the masters but I also think that it would be fine to stay away from personal invitations, like Michelle Wie's to this years US Open.... Keep them coming guys... great stuff....

he definitely deserves it!! what a lightning start to the year!!!

Although I've quickly become a big fan of Camilo, I wouldn't extend him an invitation to the Masters this year. I mean, he hasn't even won a tournament yet and that wouldn't even get you into the tournament anymore. In my opinion he hasn't earned it yet, though I'm sure he will in due time. (Don't get me wrong, I'll be hoping as much as anyone that Augusta Nat'l will invite him due to nationality!)

What I do hope Hootie does is give Ryan Moore a rain check on his invitation, so to speak. Moore earned his return trip by playing well last year (after having such a remarkable amateur career) and I would hope Hootie has some compassion on him since he (Moore) obviously has no control over the hand injury that will cause him to miss this year's Masters.

There's really no controversy at the Masters this year that would garner Hootie from giving an exemption to someone like Camillo to distract people so it probably won't happen. Although, as far as people who could receive an exemption, the list seems a little thin and Camillo has proven that he's consitent enough at some tough tracks so you never know. I would give him the chance though, not saying he would win, but I think he'd have a better chance than J.B. Holmes.

hey hey dont be mad he looks better in pink pants than you do in your docker's!

I would not give him an invite. Why? He is on the big tour and needs to earn his spot just like most everyone else. Camillo is young, he will have plenty of opportunity to play in the Masters. He looks almost certain to be there next year and that's quite an accomplishment.

I wouldn't.
Even though he's been playing hard and earned a lot of $$, he still don't qualify by the book.
His time will come, no doubt!

No. He can't compete with the real big boys and Augusta is going to be too much for him to handle

If I were Hootie, I probably would give Villegas an ivitation to the "2006 Masters Tuh-nament." However IMO Villegas really needs to work on his putting. That did cost him some money yesterday. Granted no one really putted that great, however he put himself in some great positions to make birdies, and he missed everything. The 3 putt on the Par 5 9th yesterday was gross. The putts cost him just like at Doral...

NO..let's don't make this guy a male version of Michelle Wie..MAKE HIM EARN THE SPOT just like everybody else

OH YES!!! yes please let the guy play he plays good golf and is entertaining to watch. he attacks the pins and pulls off some great shots.....

No, the Masters is all about traditions and earning your invite. Don't get me wrong, if Hootie invited him, I would be all for it because I think he is good for golf and the fans. He will play in a lot of Masters before he is done. If he only would have made a few putts at The Players he/we would not be asking this question.

What?? He's proven he can compete with anyone on tour. He's still quite young and is learning how to put an entire tournament together. The kid has major game, and unless you are his Sport's Psychologist, how do you know that the Master's would be too much for him to handle?

Some of these point blank statements just crack me up.

The answer is NO!!!!!!!!!!! He finished 11th on the money list. Rules are rules. Don't get me wrong he's fun to watch and he's great for the game of golf but he finished 11th on the list and thats that. If he keeps it up he will be in nexts years and he will have earned it. I bet he wants to earn it, we will see him next year at Augusta.

No

No, must be earned. Best thing he can do is spend the week practicing putting. if or when he gets that down he'll be able to play anywhere he wants.

NO! he has to earn a spot

I can't believe the responses to this....He does not deserve to play the Masters! Ames earned his way and so should anyone who goes...

Doesn't the masters give invites to foreign born players all the time. Like didn't aaron baddeley (sp?) get one a couple of years ago? also shingo maybe? I know they didn't play on the pga at the time, I was just wondering.

Yes! I became an instant fan, he definitely will make some fireworks on that course! I'd sure kick a few old timers out to see Cam. The fireworks, that's what it's all about!

I thought Augusta gives out special exemptions to foreign players. If so, then yes. He is great for the game and fast becoming a fan favorite. He does need to start making those 3 & 4 footers though.

That said, if we're talking a special exemption, outside of the norm, then no. He'll be there eventually.

WHAT ON EARTH ARE U TALKING ABOUT "cant compete with the big boys???" T2 at doral in a field with all the top players, T3 at sawgrass on a day when guys like vijay and sergio just crumbled, not to mention it was his first time playing one of the hardest courses on tour....give the guy a nationality invite...i think he can compete at Augusta

I think I would give Greg Owen an invite first then Villegas.

Can't he technically get in if he is in the top 50 of the World Rankings when this weeks come out?

He's what 63rd now...and with a T-3 at the Players can he make the jump to 50?

The kid should get an invite...he deserves an invite and imo will be an invite.

No, I wouldn't. He should have to get in like any other player regarless of how cool his game is to watch . I think he will end up getting in because of Chris Dimarco's Injury, or Kenny Perry's injury. He might also get in with a Ames WD.

Well, I think the he's answered the question to if he can compete or not with the big guys... he's had some good finishes in some REALLY good fields like the Doral and The Players... here's and article that comes right into topic...

STORY ABOUT VILLEGAS

Quote: "No, I wouldn't. He should have to get in like any other player regarless of how cool his game is to watch . I think he will end up getting in because of Chris Dimarco's Injury, or Kenny Perry's injury."

I think it shows a lot that he made the most out of that opportunity and he fell just a few dollars short of being in the top 10.. don't forget he finished T3rd behind #3 in the world and in front of many GREAT players...

lets keep them coming....

It was an opinion, not a statement.

From a business point of view, it would be a smart pick for Hootie. He is obviously very popular. I like the kid a lot. Not everybody earns his or her way into the tournament. I would have no problem with Hootie using an exemption on him.

The Masters isn't some local Muni open where the tournament hosts can invite their cigar smoking, beer swilling buddies to come and play. This is THE premier event on Tour every year, and they should not cheapen it's meaning to get in by extending him an invitation.

Just my $.02

bmac

That's a bit over the top with the analogy. I really don't see how the event is "cheapened" by inviting him. How is it cheapened?

How would an event be "cheapened" by inviting one of the most popular players on tour?

Your right this is THE PREMIER EVENT...and Camillo has proven he is a PREMIER player...

The masters has extended and invitation to Tonchai Jaidee... I think he is a good player and it will be nice to see him compete against the best in the world.... The masters will invite players at their own personal opinion and I still think that they should extend one to Camilo... Just my two cents... I'm sure he will be in the field next year, so no worries...

He is a good, yet un-proven player. They should tot invite him based upon his style, white slacks, orange shoes and belt. He is flashy for sure, but maybe a flash in the pan. Who knows?

When did the Masters quit inviting all PGA Tour winners from the previous year and switch it to the money list selection process now.

Well theres a big problem here. If you invite camillo, your making a big mis-justice to Watson and Holmes. Holmes had a win on the Tour! How about Oberholser he has a win aswell. I think he gets in if they all get in. If not we'll be seeing a big problem amongst the rookie class!

I think that's the best point that's been raised all day, Oberhosler and Holmes should be in before Villegas. The two tournaments they won (FBR and ATT Pebble Beach) weren't exactly pushovers either. They should get invites before Camillo.

Oberholser will get in if he maintains his position in the top ten on the money list. But I agree with you in that Villegas is a card holder on the PGA tour and should fall under the guidelines in place otherwise, where would you draw the line on who's in who's not?