The Masters looks for Asian amateur

Augusta National Golf Club and the Royal & Ancient have agreed to co-sponsor a new tournament, the Asia Amateur Championship, with the winner receiving an invitation to compete in the Masters and an exemption into the final stage of British Open qualifying, the two entities have announced.

The tournament is designed to help grow the game in an area of the world that has the most potential for growth, Peter Dawson, chief executive of the Royal & Ancient said. The first Asia Amateur Championship will be played Oct. 29 at Mission Hills in China.

-- John Strege