Greg Norman has been granted another chance to end his run of poor luck at the US Masters.
The 46-year-old Australian, three times a runner-up at Augusta, hadn’t earned an exemption for next April's tournament, but has been given a special invitation by the club.
"Greg has provided our patrons with much excitement by his inspired and superior play during his 21 years at Augusta National," said chairman Hootie Johnson today.
Fourth on his debut in 1981, Norman bogeyed the last to lose by one to Jack Nicklaus in 1986 - the year he led in all four majors with a round to play - then 12 months later was beaten in a play-off when Larry Mize sank a 30-yard chip-and-run.
That was memorable enough, but if the Great White Shark never dons a green jacket he will probably look back more than anything on what happened five years ago.
On that occasion he led by six with 18 holes to go, having equalled the course record with a 63 on the opening day, but collapsed to a 78 while playing partner Nick Faldo shot a best-of-the-day 67 and won by five.
Another chance came for the twice Open champion two years ago. He trailed by one after three rounds then, only to close with a 73 to be third, three behind Jose Maria Olazabal.
In all Norman has had nine top-six finishes, but this spring he missed the cut after his worst-ever round - a 10-over-par 82 - and having fallen from 46th to 113th in the world rankings during the season, he lost his automatic place in the field.
He is the only special invitation among 95 players named for the 2002 tournament.
The rest include 18 Europeans, four of whom are Irish. Paul McGinley, by virtue of his top 50 world ranking, and Amateur champion Michael Hoey, will be making their debuts while Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington will be hoping to build on last year’s performances - 24th and 27th respectively.
Clarke’s best result came in 1998 when the Tyroneman tied for 8th position.
The other European players are: Severiano Ballesteros, Thomas Bjorn, Faldo, Sergio Garcia, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Bernhard Langer, Paul Lawrie, Sandy Lyle, Colin Montgomerie, Olazabal, Jesper Parnevik, Lee Westwood and Ian Woosnam.
Several opportunities remain for other players to compete.
Apart from more special club invitations, the winner of the Players Championship at Sawgrass in March will qualify, as will the three leaders on the US Tour a month before the Masters and the top 50 on the world rankings at the same time.
Hoey is one of five amateurs, the others being US champion Bubba Dickerson, runner-up Robert Hamilton, US Mid-Amateur winner Tim Jackson and US Public Links champion Chez Reavie.